Key learning points
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Adoption fees range from $2,800 to $60,000 depending on the type of adoption you choose.
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Many private organizations offer grants that you can use to offset adoption costs.
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States also offer adoption assistance programs that can provide monthly subsidies to make adoption more affordable.
Expanding your family can be an exciting adventure, but one that can come with a hefty price tag. The Child Welfare Information Gateway estimates that adoption fees could cost you as much as $60,000. This could explain why from the 37 percent of adults who have considered adoption, only a quarter have considered it “very seriously.”
Fortunately, there are a growing number of resources, including adoption loans, grants, state and federal assistance programs, that can reduce the financial impact on your wallet.
How much does it cost to adopt a child?
Domestic adoptions in the US cost less than $2,800 if done through the foster care system, or between $30,000 and $60,000 through an adoption agency.
Adoption cost statistics
- The most affordable way to adopt a child is through the U.S. foster care system. It costs on average less than $2,800 to adopt a child from foster care.
- Independent adoption through a lawyer costs between $25,000 and $45,000. These estimates include home study costs, the birth mother’s medical bills, and legal and court costs for all parties involved.
- Adopting through a private agency is the most convenient way to adopt because the organization oversees the process from start to finish and provides additional services such as counseling. However, it is also the most expensive way to adopt this as it can cost between $30,000 and $60,000 depending on the agency.
- Intercountry adoption is the second most expensive way to adopt, because you have to take into account additional costs, such as travel and accommodation costs, escort costs and the child’s passport and visa. On average, it costs between $20,000 and $50,000 to adopt a child abroad.
- Because they are more cost-effective, public adoption (or adoption through foster care) is responsible 58% of all domestic adoptions in the US
Expert tip
“There are currently more than 113,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system who are legally available for adoption and in need of a permanent, supported and nurturing home, and the legal process costs are typically less than $1,000 for that type of adoption,” says Kristen Hamilton , Director of Communications at the National Council for Adoption.
“In addition, there are subsidies that many of these children are eligible for, which can help parents meet their needs after adoption. However, they should know that the grant process must be completed before the adoption is finalized.” Hamilton adds.
Financing an adoption
The average household income in the US is just below that $74,600 starting in 2023. For many Americans, paying tens of thousands of dollars to expand their families is simply out of reach. That said, there are plenty of financing alternatives you can explore to reduce these costs.
Adoption loans
An adoption loan is a type of personal loan that finances the costs associated with adopting a child. Personal loan rates range from about 6 percent to 36 percent, depending on the lender, with repayment terms between one and seven years.
Taking out a personal loan to cover the costs of adopting a child can be a good idea if you have good credit and a stable source of income, as it can help you get the best interest rates. However, one potential downside is that it can be difficult to get a loan with bad credit and – if you do – you will most likely get a high interest rate. Furthermore, if you don’t pay off the loan, you could damage your credit for up to seven years.
Adoption subsidies
Adoption grants are a type of gift assistance that you can use to pay for adoption costs. Because grants do not have to be repaid, they are one of the best ways to finance adoption costs. That said, grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and some grants may take some time to process. Therefore, the sooner you start your application, the better.
Adoption grants are provided by private organizations and sometimes by the adoption agencies themselves. Some of the most popular organizations that provide grants for adoption include:
“Almost all of these grants require the family to have completed a home study in order to apply,” Hamilton says. “Some are tied to being further along in the process, but usually the grants are given so the family can complete the adoption process and are awarded well in advance of completion,” she adds.
Some grants are also limited to certain income thresholds, so read all requirements before applying.
Utilities
Each state has its own adoption assistance program, which offers a monthly payment to families to help subsidize some of the costs. These amounts vary by state – and sometimes by county – and have limits based on the child’s age.
You must also apply for these subsidies from the state where you adopt the child, regardless of where you live afterwards. You can learn more about each state’s utility by visiting its website North American Council on Adoptable Children’s website.
A growing number of employers are also offering to help cover adoption costs as part of their benefits. According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for AdoptionIn 2023, surveyed employers who offered to reimburse adoption costs as part of their benefits package gave their employees an average compensation of $14,831.
Regardless of where you adopt your child, you may also be eligible to make a claim with the federal government Adoption tax credit. This credit will be issued to you as a refund and you can receive up to $15,950 in 2023.
Crowdfunding
Another way to finance adoption is through donations. If this is something you’d like to explore, you can set up a donation campaign through websites like GoFundMe, AdoptTogether, and Adoption Bridge. It should be noted that some of these sites charge fees and if the goal is not met by a certain date, you may lose some of the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Adopting a child can cost next to nothing, or it can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the path you choose. The most affordable way to adopt a child is through the foster care system, as it can sometimes be completely free thanks to the subsidies available.
Here’s a breakdown of how much it can cost on average to adopt a child, depending on the method:
- Foster care/public adoption: Less than $2,800.
- Independent adoption: $25,000 to $45,000.
- Adoption through a private agency: $30,000 to $60,000.
- Intercountry/International Adoption: $20,000 to $50,000.
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The adoption process varies depending on the method you choose. However, some of the steps you will need to go through regardless are:
- Information session: This explains what you need to know about adoption, including the costs, what you need and what to expect.
- Courses and training: You will need to take a series of seminars that will give you tools to become a successful adoptive parent.
- Home study: Once you complete your coursework, you will be assigned a social worker. This person will determine if you are ready for adoption based on factors such as your daily routines, the condition of your home, and background.
- Create a profile: After you pass the home study, the next step is to create a family profile that you can submit to the various adoption agencies.
- Wait for an agreement: The adoption agency will contact you if your profile matches one of the children available in the system.
To gain a better understanding of how adoption works as a whole, visit the National Adoption Council website.
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Adopting a child can take anywhere from months to years, depending on the age range you want to adopt, the country and the adoption method. For example, adopting a newborn baby can take time two and seven years, due to high demand. Domestic adoptions – especially those from foster care – can be done in just a few months, while international adoptions can take up to five years because of all the legal paperwork.
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Adopting a child through the foster care system is the most affordable method. It typically costs less than $2,800, while other methods can cost you from $20,000 to $60,000.
