Investing in the life of a child - How can you afford adoption?
The cost of domestic and international adoption can seem overwhelming. However, there are many options to help your family afford adoption. It helps to understand what costs are associated with an adoption.
For International Adoption fees support an array of services: The cost estimates associated with your specific adoption plan will be provided to you by your International Adoption Placement Agency (aka Primary Provider). Depending upon your adoption plan, inter-country adoption costs can range from an average of $25,000 to $40,000. All fees paid in relation to your inter-county adoption are for necessary goods and services including:
(1) professional services (e.g. home study investigation, child background checks, travel preparation, adoptive placement, post-adoption supervision/support);
(2) document preparation (e.g. dossier authentication);
(3) foreign government adoption fees;
(4) child care fees (e.g. orphanage donation);
(5) passport and visa fees; and
(6) travel expenses (e.g. airline tickets, food and lodging).
For Private Agency Domestic Adoption fees support an array of services: The cost estimates associated with your specific adoption plan will be provided to you by your Adoption Placement Agency. The costs will depend upon your adoption plan, birth mother expenses and the cost of legal council. Domestic adoption costs can range from an average of $25,000 to $40,000. All fees paid in relation to your domestic adoption are for necessary goods and services including:
(1) professional services (e.g. home study investigation, child background checks, adoptive placement, post-adoption supervision/support);
So how can you invest in the life of a child and obtain the needed resources for your adoption?
- Save, Save, Save (find ways to save money within your current household budget)
- Delay unnecessary expenses (e.g. remodel the bathroom another year, drive your car for a couple more years)
- Have fundraisers (e.g. rummage and/or bake sale, t-shirt sale)
- Encourage your family to gift you with adoption money instead of gifts on your birthday and holidays
- Ask a family member to gift you a part of the adoption
- Secure a loan interest loan (e.g. home equity line of credit, bank loan)
- Apply for grant money - there are many organizations that provide grants to families adopting internationally
- Remember that there is a Federal Tax Credit for Adoption
Family Connections, Inc. is a New York State authorized agency that has achieved Hague Accreditation through the Council on Accreditation. The Agency has been supporting families adopting domestically and internationally for over twenty years. Please visit the Family Connections, Inc. website for more ideas and links to loan, grant and fundraising opportunities at www.adoptfamilyconnections.org (listed under “Resources” - “How to Afford an Adoption”).
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