Notice to Adoptive Parents From The US Embassy In Sofia, Belgrade

Entering the summer season we continue to deal with staffing gaps in addition to scheduling challenges related to COVID-19. We will try our best to schedule interviews on amenable dates, but we ask you to remain flexible. There may be situations where we will need you to reschedule appointments within a reasonable timeframe.

Our foremost goal remains keeping applicants and Embassy staff safe during the pandemic. The current U.S. Embassy Sofia-wide COVID-19 safety protocols require that anyone not fully vaccinated must wait 10 days after entering Bulgaria before entering the embassy, and then they may visit the embassy if they do not have symptoms and have not been in contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive. If an individual is fully vaccinated (that is, two weeks have passed since they received the full course of COVID-19 vaccination) and are symptom free, we may be allowed to grant an exception allowing them to enter the Embassy five days after arrival. If an individual is vaccinated and needs an appointment in less than five days, please email iv_sofia@state.gov.

If you process adoption cases where the adoptive parents have already scheduled final interviews or you have cases that may be scheduled for final interview in the near future, please check whether the parents would meet the requirements of the above embassy policy. The situation with Covid-19 in Bulgaria remains fluid. As the situation evolves we will update you on any protocol changes.

We take this opportunity to remind you that all visitors over two years of age on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose. Anyone who feels ill on the day of their appointment should reschedule their interview and not enter the embassy.