Adoption Cost

The cost of adoption services can range from being "free" to over $40,000, depending on if an adopter works independently, internationally, or with a public or private domestic agency.

The cheapest adoption process is through public agencies. Public agencies are government-run and usually place older children from the foster care system. These adoptions are nearly free, thanks to federal and state subsidies that usually reimburse an adopter for homestudy fees, which can be a few thousand dollars.

Private agency adoptions and unlicensed/facilitated adoptions are usually the second- and third-most cost effective routes. The lower range of these fees total to about $5,000. Depending on the agency and facilitator, these fees may cover an attorney, birth mother counseling and medical fees as well as other services. However, this can raise the overall cost to well over $40,000.

Independent adoption can be costly just because adopters may find themselves paying a lot more money for services or birth mother expenses than they would through an agency. Because each independent experience depends on the couple, birth mother and attorney fees, the lower range of this adoption process comes in at about $8,000 but can easily rise above $40,000. This is particularly true if the birth mother changes her mind about placement.

And, finally, international adoption is the most expensive route that a couple can take. Most countries require the couple to fly to the child's country of origin or to stay there for weeks, months or to own property for years before placing a child with them. There is also filing fees and a philanthropic donation expected of adopting parents.

Note: "Adoption fees" is preferred to the term "adoption cost," due to the negative connotation of making adoption sound like a commodity instead of a legal process that employs service providers.