How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Baby
Giving a baby a home can be the noblest thing to do. If you are thinking of adopting a baby, make sure, however, that you undergo the legal process. But, take note that adoption will cost you money. In this article, you will find out the costs involved in adopting a baby.
Typical Cost Of Adopting A Baby
The cost of adopting a baby depends mainly on the type of adoption you are going for. Domestic public agency adoptions cost around $0 to $2,500.
Domestic private agency adoptions range from $4,000 to $30,000.
Domestic independent adoptions cost $8,000 to $30,000.
Inter-country adoptions cost $7,000 to $40,000.
Included In The Price Of Adopting A Baby
The inclusions in the prices are the following:
| Method | cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic Public Agency | Travel Attorney's fees |
| Domestic Private Agency | Application fee Birth parent counseling Adoptive parent home study and preparation Child's expenses Post-placement Supervision Overhead and operating expenses Sliding fee |
| Domestic Independent | Birth expenses |
| Inter-Country | Agency fee Child foster care Travel and in-country stay of the parents while processing the adoption abroad Foreign court filing fees Document fees Escorting fees (if parents hire escorts instead of traveling to the country) Medical care and treatment of the child |
Factors That Affect The Price Of Adopting A Baby
Type of adoption. Basically, the type of adoption you choose will determine the price of adopting a baby. International adoptions may be more expensive as compared to domestic adoptions simply because of the number of requirements and fees you have to pay not only to the State but as well as the agency, attorney, and the foreign country in international adoptions.
State or country. The laws and requirements of the state or country where the adoptive child will be coming from can greatly affect the price of adoption. This is true because countries differ in pricing adoption fees as well as states need different adoption requirements.
Travel. If the baby you are adopting comes from another state or country, travel expenses may affect the overall cost of the adoption process.
Condition of the baby. The baby’s health and mental conditions may affect the cost of adoption as well. Since babies with medical problems are harder to place, they usually cost less to adopt them.
Agency. Different adoption agencies price differently. Some agencies collect a sliding-scale fee while others don’t. Moreover, agencies usually price the adoption higher if they will be the one to look for expectant mothers for you as compared to those parents who have found an expectant mother themselves.
Breakdown Of Domestic Adoption Costs
Agency fees
- Application fee ($100-$500)
- Home study and preparation ($700-$2,500)
- Post-placement supervision ($200-$1,500)
- Psychiatric evaluation for each parent ($250-$400)
- Physical examinations for each parent ($35-$150)
Attorney's fees
- Court representation ($2,500-$12,000)
- Document preparation ($500-$2,000)
Advertising ($500-$2,000)
Birth parent expenses
- Medical expenses ($0-$20,000)
- Living expenses ($500-$12,000)
- Legal representation ($500-$1,500)
- Counseling ($500-$2,000)
Breakdown Of International Adoption Costs
Agency fees ($10,000 to $30,000)
U.S. Agency/Attorney fees (price estimates are similar to domestic adoption)
Foreign country fees
Travel expenses (transportation, meals, accommodations)
Foreign court filing fee
Document fees
Foster and medical care for the child
Foreign agency placement fee
Foreign attorney legal and placement fee
Translation and escort services by US agency representative in the foreign country
Required "donation" to orphanage or agency
Passport office fees
Adoption Cost Per Country
Bulgaria: $20,000 to $30,000 plus travel
China: $26,000 to $32,000 plus travel
India: $13,000 to $16,000 plus travel
Mexico: $15,000 to $25,000 plus travel
Philippines: $15,000 to $20,000 plus travel
Poland: $25,000 to $28,000 plus travel
Colombia: $22,000 to $26,000 plus travel
Russia: around $50,000 plus travel
Taiwan: $15,000 to $20,000 plus travel
Thailand: $11,000 to $20,000 plus trave.
Additional Costs
Advertising can add up to the cost of adoption. This can range from $500 to $5,000 depending on what kind of advertisement you are getting. Advertisements are often necessary so that prospective parents can look for surrogates or expectant mothers.
For international adoptions, additional expenses may include the processing of the immigrant visa. An immigrant visa application fee costs around $260 with $60 issuance fee.
Of course, the adoption process is not the end of everything. Expenses will continue to show off as you raise the baby and attend to his or her daily needs such as foods, clothing, toys, education, and so much more.
Tips Before You Decide To Adopt A Baby
Adopting a baby is a very serious decision and so you must be very sure about doing it before you begin the adoption process. Make sure that you and your spouse is ready for the adoption as well as the rest of the family.
Make sure that you are all set to adopt a baby and you are ready to face all the responsibilities of raising a child. Other couples go for older children because the extent of care they need is not that much as compared to what is needed by babies.
Decide what kind of adoption you should choose. Compare not only the costs of the types of adoption but also the convenience they can offer to you all throughout the process.
Learn about adoption rules specific to your states. Take note that state laws may restrict the allowable amount of expenses related to the adoption process.
Choose a good adoption agency that will help you all throughout the process. Choose an agency based on their reputation, their prices, and their payment schemes. Make sure the agency you are dealing with is licensed and affiliated with government agencies, religious groups, or health care services.
If you need help regarding the costs of adoptions, there are several ways you can get financial assistance. Most of the time, you can take advantage of subsidies, tax credits, loans, grants, and employer benefits to fund the adoption process.
If you are considering an international adoption, it is best to know which country to adopt a baby from. Creating A Family offers a comparison of adoption details, requirements, and fees from different countries including Bulgaria, China, Mexico, India, Guatemala, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Ukraine, and many more.