The Cost of Adoption

The reason AdoptTogether exists is to help adoptive families overcome the financial barriers to adoption. We understand just how burdensome these costs can be and how quickly they accumulate. Here is a basic breakdown of the average cost of each type of adoption:

• Foster Care Adoption: $0 – $5,000
• Embryo Adoption: $7,500 – $19,500
• Domestic – Private Agency Adoption: $20,000 – $45,000
• Domestic – Independent Adoption: $15,000 – $40,000
• International Adoption: $25,000 – $50,000

One of the most important things to remember when pursuing adoption is to get your fee structure upfront. Whether going through an agency or attorney, the best thing is to be prepared and avoid being blindsided by expenses you didn’t see coming.

Sadly, there is no shortage of individuals and organizations looking to profit from the vulnerability of adoptive parents and birth moms everywhere, so make sure your agency is accredited and above board when it comes to all of its billing procedures.

Here’s a list of the most common expenses related to the adoption process:

• Agency fees
• Home study
• Attorney fees
• Counseling
• Medical expenses
• Dossier preparation
• Visa and Passport fees
• Travel expenses
• Temporary foster care
• Birth certificate
• Court costs

Domestic Newborn Adoption Cost Estimates & Breakdown
(Will vary greatly based on agency and/or attorney used)*

• Home Study Fee = $1,500-2,500
• Documentation Preparation & Authentication = $1000
• Adoption Agency Application & Program Fees = $5,000-$20,000
• Adoption Consultant Fees = $1,000-$3,000
• Attorney Fees = $4,200 – $15,000
• Advertising & Networking = $500-$2,500
• Birth Family Counseling = $500-$1,000
• Birth Mother Expenses = $3,000-$5,000
• Foster Care = $100-$400
• Travel Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000
• Post-Placement Expenses = $500-$2,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000

International Adoption Estimates & Breakdown
(Costs will vary depending on Country & adoption agency and/or attorney)*

• Home Study Fee = $2,000 – $2,500
• Documentation Preparation & Authentication = $2,000 – $5,000
• Adoption Agency Application & Program Fees = $10,000 – $15,000
• In-Country Adoption Expenses = $1,000 – $5,000
• Child Passport, Visa, Medical Exam, and Other Fees = $500 – $1,500
• Travel Expenses = $5,000 – $10,000
• Post-Adoption Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000

Foster Care Adoption Estimates & Breakdown
(Costs will vary by each state)*

• Home Study Fee = $500
• Documentation Preparation & Authentication = $100
• Attorney Fees = $1,000
• Travel Expenses = $500
• Miscellaneous Expenses = $200- $500

Average costs & item breakdowns aggregated from AdoptiveFamilies.com & FundYourAdoption.tv

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy: