Age of Parents

Married couples and single women between the ages of 23 and 55 years old may adopt a child older than 12 months. Parents over the age of 55 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and can be considered to adopt children 8 and older. The younger parent cannot be more than 50 years older than the child. 

Marital Status

Couples married at least one year are welcome to adopt. If there is a history of divorce, the current marriage must be at least 2 years. Each spouse may have up to two divorces.

Children in Family

Couples with five or fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from Bulgaria.

Income

Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.

Criminal History

Applicants cannot have a history of violent crimes or crimes against children. Applicants with a criminal history will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Medical History

Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life-threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Step One

Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.

Step Two

Once your dossier is registered, the Central Authority places families on their waiting list until a child is referred. Once information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.

Step Three

After completing the referral process, parents must travel to meet your child for a bonding trip of 5-7 days. After meeting your child in Bulgaria, the adoption will be finalized through the Bulgarian court system.

Step Four

Once the adoption is finalized, parents will travel a second time to Bulgaria for 11 days to bring your child home.

Step Five

Welcome home! AGCI and Bulgaria require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S.  AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!

There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI-specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more by contacting one of our experienced Adoption Advisors!

AGENCY FEES

Application: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.

U.S. Agency*: Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state, federal, and international licensing and accreditations, oversight and supervision of cooperating agencies, post-adoption support services, communications and insurance. The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in the United States and abroad.

*If adopting siblings, agency fees increase.

HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION

Home Study Services: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.

Post-Adoption Reports: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-adoption visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.

INTERNATIONAL FEES

These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in Bulgaria. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption. (Due with completion of dossier and referral packet as indicated on fee schedule)

FEE DISCLOSURE

All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.

ADDITIONAL & THIRD-PARTY EXPENSES

Additional or third-party expenses are outlined in the provided Fee Schedule.