We are currently seeing families matched with children with Down Syndrome who are 2-3 years old. Families are also matching with children 5 or older with minor to moderate medical special needs. We occasionally see families matched with sibling groups as well.

Families can choose either a traditional referral route or choose to pursue a waiting child. In the traditional route families register their dossier with the Ministry and wait to receive a referral. If pursuing a waiting child, the family is able to learn about children on the waiting child portal and submit a pending application to be reviewed by the Ministry before moving forward. Many waiting children will be older or have more significant medical special needs. The official match is made by the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria.

The process of adopting from Bulgaria is dependent on the matching route a family pursues. Families in the Waiting Child route will likely experience a 12-18 month process. Families in the traditional route may experience 2-4 years depending on a family’s openness to age range, medical special needs and sibling groups.

Families will travel to Bulgaria on two trips. The first trip is approximately 7 days and includes daily visits with the child for bonding. The second trip occurs 4-6 months later and is approximately 10-14 days. The child will come into the family’s care at the beginning of the trip and families will attend important appointments to complete visa paperwork. Lifeline has an amazing team in country who walk alongside families each step of the way and provide support during the stay in Bulgaria. Lifeline’s team provides translation and guide services during the stay.