The cost of a domestic adoption can vary considerably depending upon what sort of agency a family utilizes. Public agencies help find homes for children with special needs, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) subsidizes adoption fees and the care of children with special needs. For infant adoptions, an agency can connect birth parents with an adoptive family.
Domestic Public Adoption Agency
Public agencies place children with special needs. Costs incurred adopting through a public agency include attorneys fees and transportation, which can be reimbursed through federal programs up to $2,000. Subsidies for the ongoing care of special needs children may also be available.
Private Adoption Agencies
Licensed private adoption agencies charge fees that range from $4,000 to $30,000. These fees include the costs for counseling of the birth parents, a home study for the adoptive parents, medical expenses surrounding the birth of the child, plus legal supervision until the adoption has been finalized. Adoptive parents may be able to pay on a sliding scale. Expenses may be lower if parents secure their own birth parent.
Domestic Independent Adoptions
When adoptive families act as their own agency, seeking out birth parents themselves, they generally spend $8,000-$30,000. Much of this is spent in advertising. This method is now legal in most U.S. states, although publicly advertising to seek birth parents may not be.
Considerations
If you plan to take the IRS adoption tax credit, you'll need to use publication No. 968 to receive up to $5,000 for domestic adoptions and $6,000 if the child has special needs. Several states also have tax credits for adoptions. Children who are in the foster care system are also eligible for low-cost adoptions. Other subsidies may also be available.
Adoption Loans
Adoption Loans are available for qualified families. Contact the National Adoption Foundation at (203) 791-3811 to request an application, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to national Adoption Foundation at 100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811.
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