By: Adoption.com Staff | Date: 5/14/2026

Bulgaria is one of the most active international adoption programs available to U.S. families today. In fiscal year 2024, it was the third most common country of origin for U.S. intercountry adoptions. It is a Hague Convention country, which means strong protections are in place. The program is stable, well-organized, and has been placing children with U.S. families for decades.

The children waiting for families in Bulgaria are mostly older children, sibling groups, and children with identified medical or developmental needs. Many are of Roma heritage. These are children who have waited a long time. They need families who are ready, informed, and fully committed to the journey.

Bulgaria is gaining attention because its eligibility requirements are among the most open of any international adoption program. Both married couples and single adults may apply. There are no income minimums beyond the standard USCIS requirement. And families who are open to older children or children with medical needs can often receive a referral in a matter of months.

This guide covers who can adopt, how the process works, what it costs, and how to raise a child with a strong connection to Bulgaria.

Why Families Choose Bulgaria

Children Eligible for Adoption

Children eligible for adoption from Bulgaria range from toddlers to teenagers. The most common ages at referral are between 2 and 13

years old. Both boys and girls are available. About 80% of the children placed internationally are considered to have special needs. This includes older children, sibling groups, and children with medical or developmental conditions.

Many children available for international adoption in Bulgaria are of Roma heritage. Roma children are rarely adopted domestically in Bulgaria due to social stigma and discrimination. Because of this, they make up a large share of the children on Bulgaria’s intercountry adoption registry. Families adopting from Bulgaria should understand and embrace this reality. A child of Roma heritage deserves the same respect, love, and cultural connection as any other child.

Children with Down syndrome, heart conditions, limb differences, and other identifiable needs are available. Families open to these children often receive referrals very quickly. For children with Down syndrome in particular, some agencies report referral timelines as short as three to six months from dossier registration.

Children listed on Bulgaria’s waiting child registry are older children, larger sibling groups, or children with more significant needs who have been waiting the longest. Families who are open to these children can often move through the process in 12 to 18 months.

All children go through a review by the Ministry of Justice before being referred for intercountry adoption. Domestic placement is always considered first.

Is Adopting From Bulgaria Right for Your Family?

Who Can Adopt From Bulgaria?

Bulgaria’s program is notably open. Both married couples and single applicants may apply. The requirements below reflect current program standards as verified through the U.S. Department of State and active adoption agencies. Always confirm current eligibility with your adoption service provider before beginning the process.

• Age: You must be at least 25 years old and at least 15 years older than the child you wish to adopt. The age gap between you and the child may not exceed 50 years. In the case of a couple, the 50-year limit is measured from the younger parent.
• Marital status: Married heterosexual couples and single adults may apply. Bulgaria does not permit same-sex couples to adopt.
• Length of marriage: No minimum marriage length is specified under Bulgarian law, though some agencies may have their own requirements.
• Same-sex couples: Bulgaria does not permit adoption by same-sex couples.
• Children already in the home: There are no restrictions on the number of children already in your home.
• Health: You must be in generally good health. No serious chronic or life-threatening illness. Applicants with medical conditions, including mental health diagnoses, may be considered and should contact an agency to discuss their situation.
• Income: There is no specific income requirement beyond the standard USCIS requirement that families meet 125% of U.S. poverty guidelines.
• Background: Applicants with a criminal history involving child abuse, violence, or domestic violence are not eligible.
• Citizenship: At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility criteria with your adoption service provider before beginning the process.

Cultural Considerations

Bulgaria is in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It has a rich and layered culture shaped by thousands of years of history. Ancient Thracians, Slavs, Bulgars, Byzantines, and Ottomans all left their mark on the country’s art, music, language, and traditions. Bulgaria is also the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, created by Saints Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century.

Bulgarian is the official language. It is a Southern Slavic language written in Cyrillic script. Children coming home from Bulgaria will speak Bulgarian. Keeping your child connected to their language matters. Look for Bulgarian language classes, online learning resources, or Bulgarian-speaking community groups in your area.

Bulgarian culture has a strong folk tradition. Horo, a traditional circle dance, is performed at weddings and festivals across the country. Bulgarian folk music, known for its unusual rhythms and layered harmonies, is recognized around the world. The Martenitsa tradition, celebrated every March 1, involves exchanging red and white bracelets as a symbol of health and the coming of spring. It is one of the most beloved Bulgarian customs and is a simple, beautiful way for adoptive families to stay connected to Bulgaria year after year.

Bulgaria celebrates Orthodox Christmas and Easter, which are major family holidays. Liberation Day on March 3 marks Bulgaria’s independence. Culture and Literacy Day on May 24 celebrates the Cyrillic alphabet and the country’s written heritage. These celebrations are entry points into Bulgarian identity that families can explore together.

Many children adopted from Bulgaria are of Roma heritage. Roma people have their own distinct culture, music, language, and history. Romani music, especially the zurna and wedding band traditions, is an important part of Bulgarian cultural life. For families adopting a child of Roma heritage, learning about and honoring Roma culture is part of honoring your child’s full identity. This may require extra intention, because Roma heritage is often misunderstood or stigmatized. Your child deserves to know and take pride in all of who they are.

For families adopting transracially, cultural connection is not something extra. It is a core part of raising a healthy, whole child.

Travel Requirements

Adopting from Bulgaria requires two trips.

The first trip is approximately five to seven days. You travel to Bulgaria to meet your child. You spend time together before the orphanage director can release the child. This bonding period is required by Bulgarian law. At the end of the first trip, you return home and wait while the legal process moves forward in Bulgaria.

The second trip is approximately 10 days. This is the trip where you bring your child home. The adoption is finalized in court during this trip. After the court issues the adoption decree, you obtain your child’s passport and complete the visa process at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. Your child will then travel home with you.

The time between the two trips is typically four to six months, during which Bulgarian legal proceedings move forward without your presence.

Travel requirements may change. Your adoption service provider will give you the most current guidance when you begin your process.

Start Your Bulgaria Adoption Journey

Bulgaria needs families who are ready to say yes to a child who has been waiting. Older children, sibling groups, children with Down syndrome, and children with other identified needs are all waiting right now. For families who are open and prepared, this program can move faster than almost any other international adoption program available.

If you are ready to take the first step, or just want to learn more, Gladney’s international adoption team is here to help.

This page was last reviewed in April 2026. Program information is verified against the U.S. Department of State and current accredited agency program materials. For the most current official information, visit travel.state.gov and search “Bulgaria intercountry adoption.” Requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility criteria with your adoption service provider before beginning the process.