A. Christian Commitment
As a ministry, Lifeline works with Christian families desiring to adopt as part of a calling and commitment we have been led to. As a part of this, we also ask that you complete two forms (Doctrinal Statement & Christian Questionnaire) that you can access online. We ask that parents have a firm commitment to live according to God’s Word and teach their child the truth about who Jesus Christ is as their Lord and Savior. We would love to talk to you more about this if you would like to know more about what it means to be a Christian. Check out more information about it here.
B. Parenting Ability
The adoptive applicants must give evidence of a mutual desire and love for children. The applicants must be able to provide the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of the child being adopted. Adoptive applicants should meet the requirements for adoption in their home state.
C. Age
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. No upper age restrictions.
D. Health
The applicants must be in good physical and mental health as determined by a medical examination and evaluation to enable them to undertake the responsibility of parenthood. Family Health insurance and life insurance coverage is required.
E. Finances
As long as the applicants meet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) poverty guidelines, Bulgaria does not require a minimum household income.
F. Housing
The applicants’ home must provide adequate space and living conditions necessary to promote health and well being. The home should have at least two bedrooms. Ownership is not required.
G. Work
If both parents work outside the home, one of the parents should be able to remain at home with the child for at least 4-6 weeks following the return home. This assists with bonding and fosters emotional security in the child. Whether one is able to take time off from work will be considered. The exact length of time can be discussed in more detail with our staff. If the parent returns to work, there must be a plan for reasonable child cared which will provide security for the child.
H. Prior History of Felony Conviction
State Law #85-537 does not permit licensed child placement agencies to place babies with prospective adoptive applicants who have a prior history of a felony conviction(s). Certain exceptions are allowable for non-violent felony convictions, but this should be addressed with an agency representative prior to making an application. All prior legal convictions should be disclosed with the agency representative before starting your home study.
I. Marriage
Couples and singles may adopt. No minimum length of marriage requirement. No divorce(s) restriction(s) for either of the applicants.
J. Children/Pregnancy
Families with children already in the home may now adopt. This requirement is flexible in the Bulgaria program. Families with children already in the home (biological or adopted) may adopt. There are no restrictions for the number of children in the family; however, each family will have to prove in their home study they have sufficient resources to care for an additional child.
K. Exceptions
Please discuss possible exceptions with a Lifeline representative.
L. Travel
Referrals are given after your dossier has been translated and registered with the MOJ. The referral is officially given for the child that you initially located on the special needs waiting child list and place on hold at that time. Within two to four months of the referral and official match one or both parents must travel to spend at least five days with the child referred. Both parents are strongly recommended to travel to Bulgaria for the first trip in order to get acquainted with the child’s culture and for bonding purposes. It is very important for the parents to get to know who their new member of the family is going to be. If only one parent travels, additional paperwork must be filed to explain why the other parent could not travel (due to an illness, financial difficulties, urgent business commitments, or difficulties with arranging of the travel, including having to take care of the other children in the family). Parent(s) don’t need to attend court, issuance of new birth certificate of the child or his/her international passport. The Bulgarian attorneys will accomplish all these actions. The families will travel to pick up the child 3-5 months after the first trip, when the attorneys in Bulgaria will have completed the child’s paperwork. The second trip is typically 5-7 days.
If you feel that you meet these qualifications please complete and send us the Doctrinal Statement/Christian Questionnaire, Adoption Application, and application fee of $250. We will contact you within 5 business days of receiving your completed initial paperwork. Please contact us at 205.967.0811 or dave.wood@lifelineadoption.org for further information.
Get The International Adoption Forms
Please see the Fee Schedule here for a breakdown of estimated expenses. Additional fees and their due date are outlined in the fee schedule. Please note: The application fee is not refundable once the home study portion of the adoption process has begun.
Following the receipt of your completed application by our office, you will be contacted by us. We will direct you to the next steps. It is at this time that you will be given our Bulgaria Adoption Manual, along with other miscellaneous adoption paperwork.
