site.bta855 Children Registered for Adoption, Council Selects 3 Suitable Adoptive Parents for Each Child

As of June 30, 2025, there are 855 children registered for adoption in Bulgaria, the Social Assistance Agency (SAA) told BTA on Thursday. There were 1,487 prospective adoptive parents at the end of June. In 2024, 376 children were adopted nationally, the SAA added.

Three suitable adoptive parents are selected by the Adoption Council, who are chosen according to “the order in which the adoptive parents are entered in the information system,” according to the Draft Regulations on the Activities of the Adoption Council, published on the public consultation website Strategy.bg.

“As an exception, when determining suitable adoptive parents for children who are siblings, children with health problems or family history, children who have suffered violence, children with special needs or older children, the council may determine fewer than three suitable adoptive parents,” the information further states.

The characteristics of the child, the preferences of the adoptive parent, including the possibilities for ensuring the physical, mental, and social well-being of the child, are part of the conditions that the council takes into account when deciding on the selection of a suitable adoptive parent.

The assessment is based on the conclusion of the social workers  and the information from the investigation of the adoptive parent, the draft regulations further state.

Within one month of the child's entry into the information system, the council at the child's current address must review their file to determine a suitable adoptive parent.

The regulations shall be drawn up in accordance with the amendments to the Family Code at the end of 2023 and with the provisions of the 2024 ordinance on the procedure for registration, maintenance, storage, updating, and operation of the National Electronic Information System for Full Adoption.