Adoption Costs

Estimates

Domestic Adoption Costs

The figures listed below are general ranges; differences may be found depending on:

the type of adoption

the area of the United States where the adoption occurs

whether or not the agency charges a sliding-scale fee based on family income

the country of origin of a foreign-born child

the amount of State or Federal subsidy available for a child with special needs

Federal or State tax credits available for reimbursement of adoption expenses

employer adoption benefits

State reimbursement for non-recurring expenses for the adoption of a child with special needs.

Agency fees

Attorney fees

Low - $2,500 High -$12,000

Birth parent expenses _{(Amount and type of expenses allowable for payment usually restricted by state law and subject to review by the court.)}

Low - $0 (insurance) High - $10,000 - $20,000 (depending on difficulty of the delivery, etc.)

Low - $500 High - $12,000

Intercountry Adoption Costs

Intercounty adoption costs vary according to the specific laws of the foreign country from which you are adopting. Costs can vary according to many factors, including:

whether the placement entities in the foreign country are government agencies, government subsidized orphanages, charitable foundations, attorneys, facilitators, or any combination of these.

whether the foreign country requires translation and/or authentication of the dossier documents

whether the US agency requires a "donation" to the foreign orphanage or agency

whether the foreign requires one or both adoptive parents to travel to the country for interviews and court hearings; could be more than one or more trips of varying length

Intercountry Adoption Costs

State Department fees

Because international adoption programs vary from country to country, we have listed a range for total costs that includes:

INS/State Department visa application, processing and visa medical fees

Homestudy and parent preparation

Psychological evaluations (if required)

Physical examinations

Post-placement supervision (if required)

Translation and authentication of adoption dossier documents (if required)

Agency placement fee

Fees in the foreign country

Travel expenses (transportation, hotel, meals)

Foreign agency placement fee

Foreign attorney legal and placement fee

Foster and medical care for the child

Use of translation and escort services by US agency representative in the foreign country

Foreign court filing fee and document fees (birth certificate and adoption decree)

Required "donation" to orphanage or agency

Translation services and escort services

Passport office fees