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Adopting From Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country of contrasts that sits near the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The influence of both the Europeans and its Middle East neighbors are felt in its culture and reflected in its people. Shiloh Adoptions is pleased to be able to offer a program in Bulgaria. We work with a Hague accredited Bulgarian agency whose Director has eleven years experience helping families adopt. She will be with you every step of the way while you are in Bulgaria. Most children that are available for adoption are of Roma, Turkish or European decent, and are cared for in an orphanage setting. You will receive a picture and complete medical before accepting a child and, on occasion, video of the child will be made available.

Children Available
Healthy Children available for adoption cannot be registered for international adoption until they reach 12 months of age; therefore the children will be between 18 months to two years old before coming home. Boys and girls are available for adoption; sometimes twins or siblings will be available for adoption. Presently, the adoption of young Healthy Children is quite delayed. Preference is given to parents who have had dossiers in-country since 2004 and 2005. The adoption of healthy children over the age of 6 and sibling groups is much quicker. In the situation of the adoption of a child with disabilities who is listed with the MOJ as waiting, parents can be given a referral immediately upon submission of their dossier with the MOJ since many special needs children are in need of homes.

Requirements for Adoptive Parents

Couples and singles may adopt.
Families with children already in the home, may now adopt.
Adoptive parents must be at least 25 years of age, no upper age restrictions
There must be at least 15 years difference between the age of the parents and the child adopted

Travel/Time Commitment
One trip of at least 5 days is required. Referrals are made 12-24 months after completing your dossier for young healthy children, much sooner with older children and sibling groups and immediately with waiting special needs children. Parent will travel 2-4 months later, when the attorneys in Bulgaria complete your child's paperwork. Both parents are strongly recommended to travel to Bulgaria for the first trip. Two trips are recommended, but not mandatory. Escorts can be used to meet and/or bring child home, but parents must sign paperwork indicating why they cannot travel, and pay for escort fee and expenses.

Adoption Expenses

Application fee: $200 (non-refundable)
Shiloh Service Fee: $5,500
Bulgaria Foreign Fee: 7000 Euro for healthy children and 6000 Euro for special needs children (Based on the current exchange rate, avg. $US 9,000, respectively $US 7,700

Bulgarian Foreign Fee due:

1000 Euro due when signing with Bulgarian agency
3000 Euro due when deciding to travel for the first trip to meet the child and prior to the travel
2000 Euro for healthy child and 1000 Euro for special needs child due upon final decision to proceed with the adoption and paid upon the return back to the USA from the first trip
1000 Euro is due upon court order in Bulgaria granting the adoption

Bulgarian Foreign Fee Includes:

All document preparation fees in Bulgaria for your child
Translation
Authentication fees
Court costs
Government fees
Attorney fees
Transportation while in Bulgaria
Sightseeing
Specialists costs for consultations of your child (Psychologist, Speech Therapist, Pediatrician, Pedagogue)
New Birth Certificate of your child
International Passport of your child
Translation and Authentication of 4 Post-placement reports

Additional Expenses
The following expenses will vary by state, season, number of documents, etc... We have included some "estimates" for you which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Home Study fees: varies by state from $1,000-$3,000
USCIS I800-A processing fee: $670
USCIS fingerprinting is required for all persons aged 18 or over living in the home: $80 each
Dossier appostilled ~$270
Document delivery fees (USPS, Fed Ex, DHL, etc.) ~$100
Passport (if you do not already have one issued to you)
Age 16 and older: the passport application fee is $67 and the execution fee is $30. The total is $97 per person.
Under age 16: the passport application fee is $52 and the execution fee is $30. The total is $82 per person.

Travel expenses: Airfare (varies by season)

US Visa fee $400 for each child
Authentication and shipping fees approximately $200-$1,000 varies by state.
Post placement reports-minimum of 4 completed every 6 months after the adoption was finalized until the lapse of 2 years $200 per report (varies by state)
Estimated TOTAL adoption expenses for a Bulgarian Adoption including all adoption fees: $21,300 USD

Program Director
Jane Hinrichs
605-220-2768, 605-962-6106
jane@shilohadoptions.org

Addendum
Please keep in mind our estimated total adoption fees are only estimates and cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding as actual fees may vary according to circumstances pertinent to each individual adoption.

Fees and program overviews are subject to change at any time. Please contact our office or program director for accuracy of information.