Domestic Adoption Costs

Estimates

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

the type of adoption

the area of the United States here 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.

Domestic Adoption Costs

Agency fees

Listed with the low and high price ranges that can be expected.

Application fee: Low - $100 High - $500
Home study and preparation services: Low - $700 High - $2,500
Post-placement supervision: Low - $200 High - $1,500
Parent physical (each parent): Low - $35 High - $150
Psychiatric evaluation(each parent; if required)?: Low - $250 High - $400

Attorney fees

Document preparation: Low - $500 High - $2,000
Petition & court representation to finalize placement:

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

Advertising: Low - $500 High - $5,000

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

Medical expenses (prenatal, birth/delivery, postnatal for mother; perinatal care for child):

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

Living expenses (rent, food, clothing, transportation, etc):

Low - $500 High - $12,000

Legal representation: Low - $500 High - $1,500
Counseling: Low - $500 High - $2,000

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_{Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway}