Official statistical data from the Social Assistance Agency (SAA) reveal the scale of the adoption process in Bulgaria by mid-2025. As of June 30, the registered children waiting for adoption are 855, while the number of potential adoptive parents reaches an impressive 1,487 candidates.
The new draft Regulations for the Adoption Council's Activities introduce precise mechanisms for selecting future parents. The main principle is choosing three suitable adoptive parents, ranked according to their registration order in the electronic information system.
The Adoption Council has exceptional powers in special cases. For children with siblings, health challenges, violence trauma, or those with special needs, fewer than three potential adoptive parents may be designated.
The selection process includes an in-depth multi-factor assessment. Experts analyze the child's characteristics, adoptive parents' individual preferences, their capacity to provide comprehensive care, and the overall social profile of the candidates.
A key element in the methodology is the social report, which contains a detailed investigation and conclusion by a professional social worker. The document is prepared in accordance with Ordinance No. RD-06-46 of 04.11.2024, regulating the functioning of the National Electronic Information System for Full Adoption.
The procedure provides strict time parameters. Within one month of a child's registration in the system, the local council is obliged to review its file and determine potential adoptive parents.
The deadline for public consultations on the new regulations is set for September 1. The document is a result of legislative changes in the Family Code from the end of 2023 and subsequent by-laws.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy will issue the regulations jointly with colleagues from the Ministries of Healthcare, Education, and Justice, which ensures a comprehensive and inter-departmental approach to the adoption process.
Statistics show that in 2024, 376 children were nationally adopted in Bulgaria, which underscores the significance and relevance of the topic of care for children without parental support.