Five Reasons to Consider Adoption from Bulgaria

8
Feb

Adoption from Bulgaria may be the right fit for your family! | Learn more at mljadoptions.comAdoption from Bulgaria continues to be an excellent option, especially because of its flexible eligibility requirements. There is no marriage length requirement, no maximum number of children in the home, and single women are eligible to adopt from Bulgaria. Beyond its openness to adoptive families, there are several other reasons to consider adopting from Bulgaria:

  1. Need for International Adoption

Children in need of families through international adoption from Bulgaria are of all different ages, have various known medical needs, but are often of Roma descent. Throughout Eastern Europe, people of Roma descent are discriminated against and may have difficulty breaking the cycle of poverty. Families who choose international adoption from Bulgaria do so because they’ve become aware of poverty and discrimination against people of Roma descent. Children range in age from one year to fifteen years old, and either live in a foster family or an orphanage.

  1. Hague Convention Country Program

Bulgaria is a Hague Convention country, meaning there are additional safeguards in place to ensure that adoptions are both ethical and in the best interests of the children. Hague Convention countries tend to be more stable and predictable in processing adoptions, and are less likely to be reactionary and make quick decisions that negatively impact the adoption process.

  1. Characteristics Sheet

Many of the children in need of families in Bulgaria do have known medical needs. However, families are able to indicate what specific needs they are open to by filling out a Characteristics Sheet that is submitted with the family’s dossier. This Characteristics Sheet acts as a guide while the family is considered by the Ministry of Justice to be matched with a child. MLJ Adoptions strongly recommends that families take their Characteristics Sheet to an International Adoption Clinic during the home study part of their process so they can make the most informed decision about what known medical needs they are open to.

  1. Ease of Travel

Bulgaria requires that adoptive parents travel twice – once at time of match and once to bring the child home, about four to six months later. Each trip is about seven days long. With two weeks or less spent in-country, the travel requirements make adopting from Bulgaria feasible, even for two working parents.

  1. Bulgarian Adoption Community

Families who have adopted from Bulgaria have a tight-knit community, even across different agencies. These families are quick to share about their experiences and provide support to one another. While adopting from Bulgaria isn’t as popular as other countries, it does have a strong base of families who are willing to befriend one another. MLJ Adoptions specifically hosts an annual event for our families who have adopted from Eastern Europe, mostly families in our Bulgaria program, and we have found that these families often come early and stay late, trying to maximize the time they spend together!

Deciding which country program is the best fit for your family is a big decision. If you want to set up a time to speak with our staff to learn more about our country programs or adoption from Bulgaria, don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.

Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.