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.
Download one of these useful adoption budgeting tools in Excel spreadsheet format that includes more detailed categories. Use them to compare costs between adoption servcie providers and to track your actual adoption expenses.
| Russia | China | Independent domestic infant |
Agency domestic infant | Fost- adopt 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Preparation | ||||||||||||||||||||
Homestudy |
$750- $3,000 |
$750-$1,200 | $750-$3,000 | $750-$3,000 | $0-$2,500 | |||||||||||||||
Documentation Authentication |
$1,000- $2,000 |
$1,000-$2,000 | $50-$300 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
I-600 Visa Application |
$500- $600 |
$500-$600 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Postage/ |
$200- $500 |
$200-$500 | $200-$500 | $200-$500 | - | |||||||||||||||
| Adoption | ||||||||||||||||||||
Application |
$150- $600 |
$150-$600 | - | $100-$600 | - | |||||||||||||||
Program Fee |
$16,000- $28,0002 |
$3,000- $5,000 |
- | $1,600 -$6,000 |
- | |||||||||||||||
Child's |
$300- $400 |
$300-$400 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Child's |
$200- $500 |
$100-$200 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Gifts |
$100- $200 |
$100-$200 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Foreign Fees |
- | $2,000 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Orphanage |
- | $3,000 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Post |
$400- $1,000 |
$300-$500 | $400-$1,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Attorney |
- | - | $4,500- $9,500 |
$500- $3,000 |
0-$1,500 | |||||||||||||||
Advertising/ |
- | - | $0-$5,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Birth Family |
- | - | $700-$2,500 | $700-$2,500 | - | |||||||||||||||
Birthmother |
- | - | $0-$5,000 | $0-$5,000 | - | |||||||||||||||
Foster Care |
- | - | $0-$2,000 | $0-$2,000 | - | |||||||||||||||
| Travel | ||||||||||||||||||||
Airfare |
$2,000- $60002 |
$1,500-$3,0003 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Other |
$5,000- $15,000 |
$2,000-$6,000 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Driver |
$2,100- $4,000 |
$400-800 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
General |
- | - | $0-$5,000 | $0-$2,000 | $0-$2,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Average Cost
(before tax credit) |
$30- $40,000 |
$20- $25,000 |
$15- $25,000 |
$15- $25,000 |
$2- $5,000 |
|||||||||||||||
| Tax Credit5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum Credit |
$11,390 per final |
$11,390 per final |
$11,390 per attempt |
$11,390 per attempt |
$11,390 |
All budgets
1. May be included in program fee or homestudy fee.
2. Two round-trips for two adults; one-way fare for child.
3. One round-trip for two adults; one -way fare for child.
4. 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.
5. Subject to income limitations.