Bulgaria or Not

WVUMOM, I would be very skeptical of your agency. There are so many waiting children in Bulgaria. Yes, you would enter at the bottom of the list, but to give you the impression that you could not adopt a young child is not acceptable. BULGARIAN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Prospective adoptive parents may be married or single. Adoptive parents must be at least fifteen years older than their adoptive children, but no more than forty-five years older. There are no Bulgarian age minimums or maximums; prospective adoptive parents are expected to comply with their home government's age requirements (For the U.S. prospective adoptive parents must be at least 25 years old; there are no age maximums). I agree with everyone else that God leads you to your child. Follow your heart, and if you think Bulgaria is it, please look at other agencies. Kay Mom to Anna and Registered for #2

I was just informed by my agency on 12/02/04 that there are only 130 children eligible right now for adoption and 714 eligible family files. They expect more children to become eligible for international adoption after January 1, 2005. Was told in October,2004, that 1700 children were available for adoption and only 1100 families eligible. Not sure what to believe or do at this point. Still waiting for a referral.

There were 130 eligible children in my daugter's orphanage alone. I would not put too much faith in that number. Kay Mom to Anna and registered for #2

I read in a Sofia article that there is between 21,000-30,000 children under 15 in orphanages and that there is estimated to be around 3000 under 3. Up to 1 year they are not eligible for adoption but I believe there is way more kids than families available. What agency told you that?

Island Coast Internation Adoption in Cape Coral, Florida. Email from her counterpart in Bulgaria gave the latest statistics from the MOJ regarding ELIGIBLE children and family files. There are many children in the orphanages,yes, but they have to be in the system for domestic adoption first for 6 months before they can become eligible for international adoption. I was told that the 6 month period was over in Sept/Oct for many of these children and that their dossiers are being prepared and submitted to the MOJ. But until that is completed, these children can not be referred. If any one has any better information from their agency, I would appreciate knowing this so that I can speak intelligently with my agency or switch agencies. Dossier submitted to Bulgaria Agency 6/24/04 Dossier submitted to MOJ 8/10/04 Dossier approved 9/24/04 Still waiting for referral.

My agency is Family-NA and they are in Sofia. I will submit this to them and get there feel on it and let you know. In all the documents on US Embassy site and the Bulgaria site for international adoption I have seen no 6 month period for domestic refusal. The rules are refused by 3 bulgarian families and be over 12 months. I will get back to you. Kay, How many baby orphanages are there? Do you know? Mary

The rule about being turned down by 3 Bulgarian families and over the age of 12 months is one of the old rules. This changed in October/November 2003. The rule now is that if the birthfamily hasn't had contact for 6 months, the children are eligible for adoption.

Mary asked about the number of orphanages. I remember hearing numbers a while back, but I cannot give an accurate number It seems like it was between 6 and 12, but again, that is just a guess. Kay

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you guys know: I checked with our attorney in Bulgaria regarding the age when children become available and this is her response: As to your questions, yes, I think I get the idea. Here is what the law says: 1. There are two adoption registers for children - for domestic adoption by Bulgarian citizens and for international adoption by foreigners. The domestic registers are created in every county and there are 28 of them. The international register is only one and is centralized - at the MOJ. 2. In order for a child to be registered with the International adoption register at the MOJ, this child has: a. either to have spent at least 6 months in a domestic register and not have gotten adopted, OR b. she/he must have had three denials from Bulgarian families, no matter how long has the child stayed at the domestic register. 3. Regardless of the two options above, the child has to be at least 1 year old to be available for international adoption. Exceptionally, if there are special medical conditions of the child, OR other important circumstances, the adoption of a child who is younger than 1 year by foreigners will be admitted if this is to the exceptional interest of the child. This usually applies to children with severe medical problems. Hope this info helps. Jan Peloquin Mom to Danny B: 2/25/02 A: 3/18/04

Thanks Jan, That was very helpful. Do you have any idea how many baby orphanages there are? Mary

Thanks Jan, That was very helpful. Do you have any idea how many baby orphanages there are? Mary

Hi Guys, I asked my attorney that helped us with our adoption and she said that she thinks that their are 8 orphanages in Sofia. But she did say that their could be more that she is not aware of. Sorry this is not a more concrete answer. Happy Holidays to all of you and God Bless! Jan Peloquin Mom to Danny B: 2/25/02 A: 3/18/04

Thanks Jan. If there are 8 just in Sophia, that means there are a lot more than 12 in Bulgaria.

I was under the impression that the majority of the orphanages are in the countryside and not in Sofia. I would think if there is 8-12 in Sofia that there must be a great deal more outsid eof this area. Mary

So, does anyone know the latest available children/registered families ratio?