Frequently Asked Questions About  Adoptions

1. What is the procedure for adopting a Bulgarian child?

Click here for a detailed description of the adoption process.

2. How long does the adoption procedure take in Bulgaria?

The time required to complete an adoption in Bulgaria can vary considerably. The Ministry of Justice must first approve the adoptive parents' application. Then a council at the Ministry of Justice must offer a child to the prospective parents. If they do not agree to adopt the child, the council must offer them another child. Once the parents select a specific child, the Minister of Justice must approve their application. When this process is complete, the Ministry of Justice transfers the file directly to the court. After the court has awarded custody of the child to the adoptive parents, the municipality in Sofia must issue a new birth certificate that includes the child's new name. Then the Ministry of Internal Affairs must issue the child a Bulgarian passport. Each of these steps is time consuming and can take a few weeks or even over a month. If any institution along the way should require additional documents, the procedure may be delayed even further.

3. Can the Embassy help me expedite the adoption procedure with the Ministry of Justice or the Bulgarian courts?

The United States Embassy in Sofia has no jurisdiction over Bulgarian legal entities, especially government ministries. Our staff can contact the Bulgarian authorities to check on the status of a case only if there is an unreasonable delay in the routine procedures. The Ministry of Justice responds to the Embassy's inquiries within 30 to 60 days.

4. When are immigrant visa interviews conducted for adopted children?

If you have adopted a Bulgarian child, you or your contact person in Bulgaria must call the Immigrant Visa Unit to verify that the USCIS has sent us your approved I-600A petition or the equivalent approval notice. If we have receved a USCIS notification and the adoption procedures have been completed by the Bulgarian authorities, we can schedule a visa interview on a space-available basis for a Wednesday or Friday. Please note that fingerprints are valid for only 15 months. If your fingerprint clearance has expired, you must visit a USCIS office to be fingerprinted again.

5. Who needs an I-864 Affidavit of Support?

An Affidavit of Support is required for all cases in which the beneficiary is the spouse, child or parent of a U.S. Citizen, or the spouse or child of a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States. There are only two exceptions to this rule:

If both American parents have seen their adopted child before the adoption was completed, no I-684 is required;

If a U.S. citizen has filed an I-130 petition for his/her biological child and the child will enter the United States before turning 18 years of age, the petitioner does not have to execute an Affidavit of Support.

6. What type of photograph is required from immigrant visa applicants?

Click here to view the photograph requirements.

7. Which clinics in Sofia are authorized to do medical exams for immigrant visa applicants?

Click here to view the list of clinics in Sofia authorized to do medical exams for immigrant visa applicants.

8. Does the Embassy allow lawyers to accompany petitioners and visa applicants to the interview?

No.