From Carrie Craft,
Your Guide to Adoption / Foster Care.
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What are the differences of an international adoption in comparison with a domestic adoption? Some include:

Cost

• International adoption can be very costly, but you know up front the fees you will be facing.
• Domestic adoption can cost very little, especially if you go through your state and adopt from the foster care system.
• The cost of a private adoption depends on agency fees, attorney fees, the race of the child (unfortunately), and whether or not you have to pay for an expectant mother's care.

For a breakdown of adoption fees see Adoption Costs.

Travel

• International adoptions often require you and/or your spouse to travel to the country that you're adopting from for an extended stay that usually ranges from one to 3 weeks.
• With some international adoptions more than one trip is required.
• When adopting domestically, or with foster care adoptions, there is usually very little travel involved.

Learn more Before You Book an International Airfare for Adoption Travel.

Training/Classes

• International adoptions and some other private adoptions do not require classes, but may come in handy for parenting and other adoption information.
• When adopting domestically through the state's foster care system, classes are often required.
• Some adoption classes take as many as 25 or more hours to complete.

For example, the state of Kansas requires that prospective parents attend Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting(MAPP) classes. My husband and I both agree that even if we had decided not to adopt or foster, we have been better parents for having attended these classes.

Ages of Children Available

• A family will never receive a newborn through an international adoption. This is not only due to the time it takes to complete paperwork and receive a referral, but the fact that some countries hold onto children hoping for an adoption to take place within their own country. Once the child reaches a certain age, he/she is okayed for international adoption.
• With domestic adoptions, whether public or private, you have an opportunity of being placed with an infant.

The last stop on the journey to adoption is the actual beginning of the adoption itself. It's about just getting started!

• Get started with an international adoption.
• Get started with a domestic adoption.