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Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Bulgaria"

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Children are listed on the registry for [[Domestic Adoption|domestic adoption]] if they are officially relinquished or abandoned by the parents.  If no Bulgarian family adopts a child from the [[domestic]] registry within six months of listing, the child is entered into the registry for [[International Adoptions|international adoptions]], maintained by the Ministry of Justice.  To learn more, read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Bulgaria]].
 
Children are listed on the registry for [[Domestic Adoption|domestic adoption]] if they are officially relinquished or abandoned by the parents.  If no Bulgarian family adopts a child from the [[domestic]] registry within six months of listing, the child is entered into the registry for [[International Adoptions|international adoptions]], maintained by the Ministry of Justice.  To learn more, read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Bulgaria]].
 
 
Biological parents may reinstate their [[custody]] even after they have officially relinquished or abandoned their child and the child has been entered into the registry for [[domestic]] or [[International Adoptions|international adoptions]].  However, this happens very rarely and only after careful review by the Bulgarian social services.
 
 
 
Because [[Bulgaria]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, children from [[Bulgaria]] must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for [[adoption]]. For example, the [[adoption]] may take place only if the competent authorities of [[Bulgaria]] have determined that placement of the child within [[Bulgaria]] has been given due consideration and that an intercountry [[adoption]] is in the child’s best interests. In addition to Bulgarian requirements, a child must meet the definition of a [http://adoption.state.gov/adoption_process/how_to_adopt/childeligibility.php Convention adoptee] for you to bring him or her back to the United States.
 
  
 
=How to Adopt=
 
=How to Adopt=

Revision as of 22:26, 20 August 2014

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Bulgarian dancers in traditional attire.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Downtown Sofia.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Oil Cape.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Collage of Sofia.
Source: wikipedia.org.

The official coat of arms.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

Adoption Alert

There are currently no adoption alerts for Bulgaria.

About Bulgaria

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. To learn more, read About Bulgaria (The Country).

Bulgarian National Anthem

To learn more, read about the Bulgarian National Anthem.

Hague Convention Information

WARNING: Bulgaria is party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Do not adopt or obtain legal custody of a child in Bulgaria before a U.S. consular officer issues an “Article 5 Letter.” See the “How to Adopt” section for more information. To learn more, read about Bulgaria and the Hague Convention.

Bulgaria Travel Facts

Learn more about Bulgaria by reading Bulgaria Travel Fact Sheet.

Bulgarian Adoption Background

The majority of children available for adoption in Bulgaria are of Roma ethnicity or Turkish decent. Most of the children available for international adoption were relinquished or abandoned at birth and have not been removed from the home due to abuse and neglect. Once relinquished, children are placed in the care of the government. To learn more, read about Bulgarian Adoption Background.

Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Bulgaria is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Bulgaria, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. government. The U.S. government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Bulgaria.

Who Can Be Adopted

Children are listed on the registry for domestic adoption if they are officially relinquished or abandoned by the parents. If no Bulgarian family adopts a child from the domestic registry within six months of listing, the child is entered into the registry for international adoptions, maintained by the Ministry of Justice. To learn more, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Bulgaria.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Bulgaria’s Adoption Authority

Department of International Legal Child Protection and Intercountry Adoptions Ministry of Justice. To learn more, read about How to Adopt from Bulgaria.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.


Obtaining Your Visa

In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation.

To find information about obtaining a visa for Bulgaria, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information.


Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department webpage is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.


Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there’s a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Bulgaria, registration assists the U.S. embassy or consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

After Adoption

What does Bulgaria require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?

Bulgaria requires adoptive parents to submit post adoption reports. The Ministry of Justice requires four post-placement reports – one every six months after the adoption for the first two years.

We strongly urge you to comply with all post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to Bulgaria’s history of positive experiences with U.S. parents.


What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it’s another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons


NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. government links does not imply endorsement of content.

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria

16 Kozyak Street Sofia 1408 Bulgaria Tel: (359 2) 937-5100 Fax: (359 (2) 937-5122 Email: iv_sofia@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria


Bulgarian Adoption Authority

Ministry of Justice Slavyanska Street # 1 Sofia 1040 Bulgaria Tel: (359 2) 923-7303 (Bulgarian only) Internet: Ministry of Justice


Embassy of Bulgaria

Embassy of Bulgaria 1621 22nd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-387-0174 (main), 202-387-7969 (consular section) Fax: 202-234-7973 Email: office@Bulgaria-Embassy.org, Consulate@Bulgaria-Embassy.org Internet: Embassy of Bulgaria


Bulgaria also has consulates in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.


Office of Children’s Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 Email: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS


For questions about filing a Form I-800A application or I-800 petition: National Benefits Center Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local) Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information[1]