Sample Adoption Budgets
For an overview of the average cost to adopt by type of adoption, see the categories below. Don't forget that these costs will be offset by the federal adoption tax credit (unless your income exceeds federal limitations) so make sure to keep detailed records of your spending for adoption.
| |
China |
Russia |
Independent
domestic
infant |
Agency
domestic
infant |
Fost- adopt 2 |
PREPARATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homestudy
|
$1,000-
$3,000 |
$1,000-$3,000 |
$1,000-$2,000 |
$1,000-$2,000 |
$0-$500 |
Documentation Authentication
|
$1,000-
$3,000 |
$1,000-$3,000 |
$500-$1,000 |
$800-$1,200 |
- |
I-600 Visa Application
|
$500-
$600 |
$500-$600 |
- |
- |
- |
Postage/
Telephone
|
$200-
$500 |
$200-$500 |
$200-$500 |
$200-$500 |
- |
ADOPTION
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Fee
|
$150-
$600 |
$150-$600 |
- |
$100-$600 |
- |
Program Fee
|
$5,000-
$10,0002 |
$15,000-
$25,000 |
- |
$5,000
-$15,000 |
- |
Child's
Passport/
Visa
|
$300-
$400 |
$300-$500 |
- |
- |
- |
Child's
medical
exams
|
$100-
$200 |
$300-$600 |
- |
- |
- |
Gifts
|
$100-
$200 |
$100-$200 |
- |
- |
- |
Foreign Fees
|
$2,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Orphanage
Donation
|
$5,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Post
Placement
Reports 1
|
$300-
$500 |
$400-$2,000 |
$400-$1,000 |
- |
- |
Attorney
Fees
|
- |
- |
$5,000-
$15,000 |
$1,000-
$6,000 |
$0-$1,000 |
Advertising/
Networking
|
- |
- |
$0-$5,000 |
- |
- |
Birth Family
Counseling
|
- |
- |
$500-$2,500 |
$700-$2,500 |
- |
Birthmother
Expenses
|
- |
- |
$0-$6,000 |
$0-$5,000 |
- |
Foster Care
|
- |
- |
$0-$2,000 |
$0-$2,000 |
- |
TRAVEL
|
|
|
|
|
|
Airfare
|
$5,000-
$15,000 |
$15,000-
$25,000 |
$0-$5,000 |
$0-$3,000 |
$0-$2,000 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE COST
(before tax credit)
|
$20-
$40,000 |
$40-
$60,000 |
$20-
$35,000 |
$20-
$40,000 |
$0-
$3,500 |
TAX CREDIT3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Credit
|
$12,650
per final |
$12,650
per final |
$12,650
per attempt |
$12,650
per attempt |
$12,650 |
All budgets
1. May be included in program fee or homestudy fee.
2. Costs of adopting a child from foster care may be eligible for reimbursement (up to $2,000) by the child's state, depending on state regulations. Also, adoptions of U.S. children with special needs are eligible for the federal tax credit, regardless of actual expenses.
3. Subject to income limitations. Back To Home Page |
