Independent Domestic Adoption Cost Breakdown

Get a basic budget breakdown and estimate the amount it may cost you to adopt domestically, using an independent attorney.

A family assessing the cost of independent domestic adoption

For an overview of the average cost of a domestic, attorney adoption, see the categories below. Don’t forget that the cost of adoption will be offset by the federal adoption tax credit (unless your income exceeds federal limitations) so make sure to keep detailed records of fees and payments during your adoption process.

INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION COST BREAKDOWN

Homestudy: $1,000–$2,000

Documentation & Authentication: $500-$1,000

Postage/Telephone: $200-$500

Post Placement Fees [1]: $400-$1,000

Attorney Fees: $5,000-$15,000

Advertising/Networking: $0-$5,000

Birth Family Counseling: $500-$2,500

Birth Mother Expenses: $0-$6,000

Foster Care:[2] $0-$1,000

Airfare, Hotels, Etc.: $0-$5,000

AVERAGE COST (before tax credit): $20,000-$40,000

MAXIMUM TAX CREDIT[3]: $13,190 per attempt

 

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. Visit the IRS website for more info.



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Adoption Attorneys

TruAdopt Law
Attorney Name
Celeste E. Liversidge
City
Pasadena
CA
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn
Practice State(s)
CA
Attorney Name
C.J. Lyford
City
Lafayette Hill
PA
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster, International, Special Needs/Waiting Child
Practice State(s)
PA
Fiddler Osband LLC
Attorney Name
Rachel Osband
City
Edina
MN
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster, International, Special Needs/Waiting Child
Practice State(s)
MN
Adoption Legal Services of Oklahoma
Attorney Name
Charles Watts
City
Oklahoma City
OK
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster
Practice State(s)
OK

See all adoption attorneys >

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