How Much Does a Domestic Adoption Cost?
How much does a domestic adoption cost in the United States in 2008? To answer this question I visited the sites of several adoption referral agencies that actually list the total adoption cost. These are estimates of what the adoption situations listed will cost. However, the people doing the estimates are very experienced.
They take into consideration any allowable birthmother expenses, medical cost not covered by insurance, counseling, agency, lawyer, and ICPC fees.The situations may specify ¨does not include travel¨, or ICPC, or ¨does not include finalization.¨ In those cases, potential adoptive parents need to add an allowance for these items to their adoption budget.
Actual situation details are not listed as they change as soon as the potential birthmother is matched with a potential adoptive family. However, some general information is given to help you estimate your funds needed to adopt a child domestically. This article is not an endorsement of any of these agencies. These agencies list cost and that is why they are being referenced. Understand that adoption is a financial risk.
Birthmothers can and do change their minds about placing their babies. A birthmother’s decision to parent is out of the control of the adoption agency. However, many agencies try hard to find rematch situations for potential adoptive parents who experience a failed adoption.
You must have an approved and current adoption homestudy to proceed with any adoption. Most agencies require you to have a homestudy to inquire about situations. The only type of adoption that does not require a homestudy is stepparent adoption.
Little Bit Of Heaven Adoption Agency 8-21-08
- AA Baby Girl $15,000 doesn’t include travel, legals, or finalization.
- AA/CC or CC situation, gender unknown $22,000
- Hisp, boy $37,650 doesn’t include travel or finalization
- AA, boy $22,500 doesn’t include travel or finalization
- AA, girl $23,650 doesn’t include travel or finalization
- AI, boy $43,650 doesn’t include travel or finalization
- AA, Girl $15,500.00 doesn’t include finalization
- AA, Boy $19,000.00
Heart to Heart Adoptions Inc. 08/23/08
- AA Boy $16,000 + Full Medical
- AA Gender Unknown $20,000
Professional Adoption Situations 08/23/08
- AA twin boys $30,000, does include legal fees and birth mother living assistance.
- AA, gender unknown $23,500 does include finalization
ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES from Adoption Professionals 08/14/08
- CC Gender unknown $31,000,00 doesn’t include travel or finalization
Christian Homes And Special Kids 08/23/08
- Older special needs children to be rehomed ages vary.
- Disrupted international adoptions, occasionally.
- Probably $5,000 plus travel, children may qualify for SSI
- AA, Girl $13,000.00-$17,000.00
- CC/Hisp, Gender Unknown $18,000.00-$23,000.00
- AA, Gender Unknown $11,000.00-$16,000.00
- AA, Gender Unknown $18,000.00-$23,000.00
- Special needs infants $2,000 or more depending on income, plus travel
- Some qualify for NY support subsidy
- Children of all ages and races in foster care across the United States
- Most of these adoptions are free.
- Adoptive families may need to pay for travel however, some states reimburse.
- See Nacac for details.
- Most qualify for a state support subsidy and Medicaid until they turn 18.
- Children of all ages and races in foster care across the United States
- Most of these adoptions are free.
- Adoptive families may need to pay for travel however, some states reimburse.
- See Nacac for details.
- Most qualify for a state support subsidy and Medicaid until they turn 18.
Stepparent adoption
- Hire your own attorney and pay fees directly to your attorney and the court.
- Usually less than $,5000.
Kinship Adoption
- Free if done through the foster care system, see Adopt US Kids for details
- Private: See steparent adoption
Beacon House Adoption 08/24/08
- Gender Unknown $18,000.00-$40,000.00
Do you know of an agency that list fees on their site? Feel free to add a link in the comment section.
- Definition of Adoption Terms
- Choosing An Adoption Agency
- Older Parent Adoption
- How to Tell if You Are Being Scammed by Adoption
- How to Prepare a Baby Bottle in Public
- How to adopt a domestic newborn as fast as possible?
- How to Prescribe Behavior to Prevent Child Meltdown.
- Room in Your Home and Heart for Foster Children
Photo Credit: FM
- FosterMommy's blog
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Why is it in some cases
Why is it in some cases depending on race or gender it's cheaper or more expensive to adopt?
Supply & Demand
To put it crudely, it is a supply and demand issue. The majority of hopeful adoptive couples are Caucasian (CC), so there is a higher demand for CC babies. Also, I hear that the majority of hopeful adoptive couples who have a gender preference want a girl. So, adopting a female CC baby is likely to be more expensive than adopting an AA boy baby.
I am not saying that this is right -- just that this is the reality of why some adoptions cost more than others based upon race and gender.
- Faith
++++++++++
We must BE the change we wish to see in the world. - Ghandi
Sad, that the fees
Sad, that the fees continually raise day by day...with no end in sight. I have to say it does anger me to talk to caseworkers who've made it clear their fees are based on the adoption tax credit---with the impression adoptive couples can re-coup their fee money when they file their taxes.
That simply isn't true; and you'd be shocked to know how many agencies consider that 'credit' more or less a refund---which it is not.
Okay...that aside....I really want to stress that with each posted situation that seems high---there are always other situations with fees that are more reasonable. Our last three babies are testament to that. Situations for adoption can also be affected by how much drug exposure the baby has had; race of baby; any type of possible mental illnesses might have the chance of being inherited, etc.
And, if a couple has little to no money to risk, there's always the request to an agency/attorney that the adoptive couple only wants to accept 'already born' babies. (One agency I knew referred to them as Stork Babies'.) With these types of situations, most relinquishments have been signed, and any further wait is due to the 30 day putative father registry. While there is some risk, if you are aware of the full situation, a couple can assess how much risk that might be; but, at least the birthmother has made her choice as to what she wants to do.
Generally too, situations with attorneys are less expensive. At least this has been our experience. And finally, there is a Christian agency called, Childplace (Jeffersonville, IN) that charges a flat rate for 'any race of baby' placements---$10,000. Legals and finals have to be paid (amounting to generally, anywhere from $3,000-$5,000 for all)...and of course, some travel. Those are still very good fees overall. (Special needs situations are less expensive and vary according to the need. This 'need' does not include the fact that the baby is AA---which is something some agencies DO consider.)
While travel may seem expensive for some, I've often heard of couples being allowed to stay in a nearby Ronald McDonald house--as long as there's room available, which can be much less expensive. (Never have done this myself, but have heard it.) Additionally, a lot of couples stay in 'extended stay' motels...where, I'm told, even some of these will give a discount if they know it's for an adopting couple. (Again, I've never done this, but have heard it.)
I still remain optimistic, that there are situations for totals of 10-12k (not including homestudy). I know they exist, as we recently 'passed' on one because the attorney wanted half of the money previous to birth. This is a practice we won't involve ourselves in, and so, we passed. For what it's worth, our own adoption agency, charges a $5k placement fee for all adoptions, w/o finals/legals. Further, fees are NOT payable until the birthmother (and birthfather, if he's involved) sign relinquishments. Again, the risk is the possible signing of the putative father registry. Figuring in these, an adoption can be conducted for under $10k. The main problem with this agency, however, is that they conduct very few adoptions each year; though, their practices are more than fair to every party of an adoption.
The main thing overall, I think, is to NOT get discouraged. Do a lot of searching and networking yourself. And, even if an agency charges too much, always offer to leave your name as a possibility (most will take this). You just never know when an agency is going to be in a spot where no family is available---baby is already born----and your number will be the one the agency/attorney will need! :)
Sincerely,
Linny
FosterMommy: Can we clarify something here?
Are all of the "adoption referral agencies" listed in your article truly those who provide "referral" services (e.g., facilitators)? I don't personally know ALL of those listed, but many of them are adoption facilitators or adoption referral services. If this is the case, the fees noted above should include that "agencies" fee. For example, Hands to Hold, an adoption referral service, charges $1500 at the time of a match. Granted this is not a HUGE fee, like those of other services; Adopt-Now, for instance, charges $14,000 up front!
If prospective adoptive parent(s) chooses not to use those services, and uses a reputable non-profit adoption agency, the fees are less.
You are correct Michael
Yes, Michael, that is potentially correct. If you are able to track down the original situation without going through a referral or facilator then you would not have to pay the referral fee, which is included in the total estimate unless otherwise noted. Some of these referral agencies end up posting the same situations, as you pointed out to me yesterday. If you notice the exact same situation listed with more than one service, you can choose to go with the least expensive. For example, Little Bit of Heaven charges a 400 referral fee. Thank you for taking the time to clarify. FM
Only $400???
Wow...Are they any good? (Good implies quite a bit, I realize. Are they reputable? Do they have ethical business practices? Do they work/match with those who have unethical practices?)
Fees on top of fees......
I want to add this as well.......keep in mind that referral groups/faciliators charge ON TOP OF what an agency fee is too. I realize there might be situations where the emom comes to the referral agency....but sometimes, there is both the agency fee and the referral fee; or, the referral fee and the attorney's fee.
Bottom line: Those 'fees' where everyone has their hand out...just for finding someone...can add up very quickly. :(
Sincerely,
Linny
Unfortunately, this is very true...
I am glad you added to my comment, Linny, because using an adoption referral service does add to the overall adoption expense. I should know...we used one (not listed here)!
Should you be able to find a situation, as FosterMommy suggested, via an adopiton attorney, one who doesn't charge up-front, large fees, or via a non-profit agency, one that doesn't charge large fees (or my favorite is the "match" fee), the cost should be reasonable.
Advice for finding an attorney (Faith, feel free to jump in anytime!)
When looking for an attorney, try to find those that require a low retainer's fee and charge you on a fee-for-service basis rather than working with one who charges large, and sometimes up-front, fees. Oftentimes, you will find very large bills when you work with the latter. We know a couple who used a flat-fee adoption attorney. They assumed the flat-fee included everything...it did not. How do you find an attorney? If you don't know where to start, check with a local, hopefully reputable agency for recommendations. They should be able to give you more than one or two names. If you have an attorney for other business (i.e., real estate, finances), ask them for recommendations. Check with friends, too, to see if they have any recommendations. Once you have compiled a list of names, check with the American Bar Association to see if any of these attornies have complaints filed against them. Lastly, jump online. Google attorney's names. Register for Yahoo and Google groups and check out some of the adoption groups. What you find may surprise you! Oh, don't forget the Better Business Bureau.
As for advice on finding an agency or referral service, I suggest the same logic. If you aren't sure which agency to call first, check with those in the adoption community and/or those on the adoption groups (Yahoo and Google). Ask, ask, ask!
Can't really help
Unfortunately, I don't have anything to add re: adoption attorneys. Hub (who is a practicing attorney) took care of our attorney stuff, and we got a local family law attorney to glance over what he did just to make sure he did it all correctly. So, it was cheap for us. :0)
- Faith
++++++++++
We must BE the change we wish to see in the world. - Ghandi
Well...
luck you! ;-)
Actually, our attorney asked us if we wanted to complete the adoption forms to save money. I looked at them, and even though they looked relatively straight forward, I did not want to risk it.
Hub was nervous
Yeah, hub was nervous about that, too. Even though he had been a practicing attorney for over a decade, he was a trial attorney, not a family law attorney. This is why we hired a family law attorney to double-check that he did it right. She was so cool. She told us that we did not have to pay her. Hub insisted on paying her, so she donated the fee to charity.
- Faith
++++++++++
We must BE the change we wish to see in the world. - Ghandi
Little Bit of Heaven Referral
A woman named Betty Smith started and runs Little Bit of Heaven. Two years ago, when I used her agency, she only charged 100. She spents 10s of hours with me on the phone, emails, checking on referrals, and sending out our homestudy. She adopted two children through foster care and is a wonderful person. She post once and a while on our yahoo scam group where you and I met. She post as Betty Smith at LBHRS. She would not intentionally lead anyone into a questionable situation and for that reason, does not advertise or seek PAPs for questionable agencies. The one frequently discussed on the scam group, where we found our match that I told you about, Betty won't do referrals for them, or for the referral service you used. I asked her specifically, a couple of weeks ago about SSCs registering with her, and she responded that she cannot discriminate against anyone. She is supposed to be writing a guest blog for me, so is Shelia from Heaven Sent, and Jamie from Hands to hold. FYI Betty is listed on the BBB site in the positive.
There is something I cannot
There is something I cannot understand here. Why do we have to pay in order to adopt a child? It would be fair to be payed to raise one not to pay for it. After all we save that child offering him a warm home and we pull him out of the orphanage right? Anyway due to a Clickbooth program I followed last year I managed to save some money and hopefully next year I will be able to adopt a child myself even if I do not agree with the idea of paying for him.