{"id":351577,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/adoption\/inter-country-adoption-costs.html"},"modified":"2023-06-23T12:47:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T17:47:44","slug":"inter-country-adoption-costs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/inter-country-adoption-costs.html","title":{"rendered":"Intercountry Adoption Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Intercountry Adoption Costs<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/lisa-burden-j-d\/\">Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            June 23, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Intercountry adoption can be faster than adoption within the United States (domestic adoption), especially compared to private adoption. It is also more expensive, given the nature of the type of adoption.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Many hopeful parents considering different types of adoption find&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/international-adoption-basics.html\">international adoption<\/a>&nbsp;to be an attractive option.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Many foreign countries have adoption programs that allow U.S. citizens to adopt. However, international adoption can be expensive, especially when you factor in the additional costs such as travel to a foreign country, country fees, and visa requirements.<\/p>\r\n<p>Here are the intercountry adoption costs to consider if you are thinking about international adoption:<\/p>\r\n<h2>Intercountry Adoption Costs: Agency Fees<\/h2>\r\n<p>Many&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adoption-agency-checklist.html\">adoption agencies<\/a>&nbsp;provide international adoption services.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/pubpdfs\/s_costs.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to a 2022 report<\/a>, fees range between $20,000 and $50,000.<\/p>\r\n<p>International adoption generally includes costs for:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Agency fees, such as the application fee<\/li>\r\n<li>Documentation, including marriage and divorce certificates and health records (often called the &quot;dossier&quot;)<\/li>\r\n<li>Adoption education<\/li>\r\n<li>Immigration processing<\/li>\r\n<li>Legal fees<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>In some cases, there is an expectation for adoptive parents to donate to the foreign foster care system orphanage or agency.<\/p>\r\n<p>Additionally, adoptive parents must undergo a home study.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/Intercountry-Adoption\/Adoption-Process\/how-to-adopt\/home-study-requirements.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services<\/a>&nbsp;(USCIS) requires adoption home studies. Home studies ensure the safety of the home for the adoptee. Adoption home studies generally cost about $1,500 to $3,000.<\/p>\r\n<p>The organization responsible for placing the adoptive child\u2014such as the government agency, orphanage, charitable foundation, attorney, or facilitator\u2014may affect adoption expenses.<\/p>\r\n<p>Depending on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/creatingafamily.org\/adoption\/comparison-country-charts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the country<\/a>, there may be additional adoption fees, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Child foster care (usually in South and Central American adoptions)<\/li>\r\n<li>The adoptive parents&#8217; travel expenses and in-country stay(s) to process the adoption abroad<\/li>\r\n<li>Escort fees\u2014a fee charged when adoptive families do not travel but instead hire escorts to accompany the adoptee on the flight<\/li>\r\n<li>The child&#8217;s medical care and treatment, especially if the child has special needs<\/li>\r\n<li>Translation fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Foreign legal fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Foreign attorney fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Foreign agency fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Passport fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Visa processing fees and costs of visa medical examination<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Domestic adoptions often involve the payment of birth mother or birth parent expenses. International adoptions rarely involve those costs.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Parental Leave and Financial Assistance<\/h2>\r\n<p>Taking time away from work to adopt a child from another country can be a hidden cost of intercountry adoption. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/family-and-medical-leave-act.html\">Family and Medical Leave Act<\/a>&nbsp;requires employers with more than 50 employees to provide&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/reasons-that-qualify-for-fmla-leave.html\">up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave<\/a>&nbsp;to care for a newly adopted child.<\/p>\r\n<p>There also is help with adoption financing. There are state and federal tax credits. The federal tax credit for qualified adoption expenses for 2022 is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/the-adoption-tax-credit-helps-families-with-adoption-related-expenses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$14,890<\/a>. The credit increases to $15,950 for the 2023 tax year. State tax credits vary from state to state.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some employers offer&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.davethomasfoundation.org\/Our-Programs\/Adoption-Friendly-Workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption benefits<\/a>. This employee perk ranges from $500 to $25,300. The average is $8,000 and five weeks of paid leave. If your employer offers these benefits, find out if they are paid before or after the finalization process.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some organizations provide&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/topics\/adoption\/adoptive\/expenses\/grants-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption grants<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Finalizing International Adoptions in U.S. Court<\/h2>\r\n<p>Some intercountry adoptions require finalization in a court in the United States. Others are finalized in the child&#8217;s country of origin.<\/p>\r\n<p>As a result, although not often required, adoptive parents often also choose to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-for-a-foreign-born-adopted-child.html\">finalize the placement in a U.S. court<\/a>. One of the major advantages of finalizing an international adoption in a U.S. court is that the adoptive child will receive a state-issued birth certificate.<\/p>\r\n<p>All these post-placement procedures incur a cost. The average cost for court document preparation can range from $500 to $2,000. The cost for legal representation may range from $2,500 to $12,000 or more in some states.<\/p>\r\n<p>In some jurisdictions, adoption finalization can happen without representation by an attorney.<\/p>\r\n<p>There may be other post-placement services that add to the total cost of international adoption. For example, many countries require that adoptive families submit post-placement reports. The reports are often prepared by a licensed social worker. In some instances, however, adoptive parents can prepare and submit the reports. The reports focus on the child&#8217;s adjustment to their new home. Post-placement adoption reports generally cost around $2,000.<\/p>\r\n<h2>How Much Does Intercountry Adoption Cost? Ask an Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>Intercountry adoption can be complicated and daunting, with various factors to consider, such as foreign adoption laws, Hague Convention adoption requirements, parental rights, special needs and older child adoption considerations, and adoption referrals. An adoption professional can help ensure your legal rights and properly establish and secure the rights of your child.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you need help with your international adoption journey, an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption attorney<\/a>&nbsp;can help with the adoption process and provide sound adoption information.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    It is a good idea to have an attorney for complex adoptions\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can ensure you meet all legal requirements and that your adoption is finalized appropriately\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can help protect the best interests of adoptive children, adoptive families, and birth parents\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    For simple adoptions, you may be able to do the paperwork on your own or by using an agency\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored advice at any point in the adoption process. 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             <div class=\"fl-image-card__content\">\n            <div class=\"action-card-layout\">\n                <h2 class=\"action-card-layout__heading\">\n                    Don&#8217;t Forget About Estate Planning\n                <\/h2>\n                <div class=\"action-card-layout__content fl-text-lg\">\n                    <p>Adopting a child is an ideal time to create or change your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findlaw.com%2Fforms%2Festate-planning.html&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrittany.Walker%40thomsonreuters.com%7C2d4e4b227c9a4fb86af008dbda212946%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C638343608191626949%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bi68%2BBAgQTWdqe0Zw10fMvZVQGWNTvAvVB4MyPzLqd8%3D&amp;reserved=0\">estate<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent;font-weight: normal;\"> <\/span><a 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Take the time to add new beneficiaries to your will and name a guardian for any minor children. Consider creating a financial power of attorney so your agent can pay bills and make sure your children are provided for. A health care directive explains your health care decisions and takes the decision-making burden off your children when they become adults.<\/span><\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\" class=\"action-card-layout__button fl-button fl-link-button secondary\">\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Start Planning<\/span>\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore international adoption costs with Findlaw&#8217;s guide covering agency fees, country costs, travel expenses, and post-placement costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":351545,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2730],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-351577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-family"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351577"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351577\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351577"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=351577"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=351577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}