1. Meet Your Adoption Specialist and Complete a New Client Packet

Once your application is submitted and approved, an adoption specialist will be assigned to your family. Your adoption specialist will be your primary contact to answer questions, provide information, and support your family throughout the adoption process.

2. Complete Training

Gladney's pre-adoption training equips families to navigate international adoption and understand the unique needs of children from Bulgaria, especially those with medical or emotional challenges. This training helps parents provide a loving, supportive home.

3. Complete an International Home Study

If you live in a Gladney-licensed state, your adoption specialist will assign a home study worker to your case. The home study department will then contact you directly to schedule appointments. As of 2024, Gladney home studies service hopeful adoptive parents in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. If you live in one of these listed states and are ready to start your home study, fill out our home study form here.

If you do not live in a Gladney-licensed state, you will need to choose a home study provider who meets Gladney’s criteria. Check with your adoption specialist to ensure your home study will be eligible for the adoption process.

4. Choose Your Tract (Waiting Child or Traditional Program)

Traditional Program

In the Traditional Program, families create a dossier detailing the characteristics of the child they are eligible to adopt (See Step 6). The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) then reviews this dossier and provides the family with a referral. Children eligible through this program generally have less severe special needs than those in the Waiting Child Program.

Waiting Child Program

In the Waiting Child Program, families express interest in a specific child from the Waiting Child list by submitting commitment paperwork to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Upon approval, the family is asked to provide a dossier for the child. Throughout this period, Gladney continues to advocate for the child until the family has an approved and valid home study. This program often includes children with more complex special needs.

5. Gather Documentation and Complete Paperwork

The following must be completed and submitted to your adoption specialist:

• Application Fee
• Commitment Paperwork
• Letter of Intent (see sample here)
• Waiting Child Referral Agreement #1

6. Pre-Approval

After submitting your commitment paperwork, Gladney will notify you of the status of your request to adopt a specific child. If approved, you will be required to complete and submit your Dossier to within six months of receiving this pre-approval.

7. Prepare your Dossier

Your adoption specialist and Gladney support staff will guide you through the dossier process. A dossier is a collection of essential documents for adoption. It could include an application letter, home study report, notarized references, certified birth and marriage certificates, medical reports, FBI fingerprints, USCIS approval, and various agreements and photos. These documents give adoption authorities a complete overview of your family.

8. Travel to Bulgaria

Adoptive parents must make two trips to Bulgaria. After receiving the official referral, the family will travel for a 5-day visit to meet the child (this does not include 2-3 days of travel time).

If the hopeful adoptive parents decide to proceed, the adoption process will start in Bulgaria while the immigration/visa process (I-800) takes place in the US. Once both countries complete their steps, the final trip to Bulgaria will be scheduled to unite the family and complete the visa process. This trip lasts about 7-10 days and typically occurs 3-4 months following the first trip. Gladney and our Bulgarian partners will coordinate all travel appointments.