Adopting a Child: What Costs Can You Expect?

Deciding to adopt a child is a major life choice, no doubt, and many are aware that it can be quite costly. But it isn’t always a matter of how much you’re going to spend, but rather, how much you can expect to spend. Being fully aware and prepared for the costs of adoption is critical. The last thing you’d want is an unpleasant surprise that hurts your bank account more than anticipated.

With the latter said, read on to discover the costs you can expect when adopting a child to ensure you won’t be blindsided when the time to adopt comes.

Domestic Adoptions are More Affordable Than International Adoptions

When adopting a child, some might wish to do so from a foreign country, especially a third world country where a child might not have a fortunate future otherwise. Others might wish to adopt from their own country due to convenience. Then there are individuals who don’t mind where their future child comes from; they’re happy to adopt from any country.

Know that it’s typically going to be the more affordable option for you to adopt from your own country than it would be to adopt from another country. For you, this means less travel costs, which can certainly add up. When adopting domestically, there’s also going to be less of an adjustment process for your child as there are no cultural barriers and differences.

Some Countries are More or Less Expensive to Adopt From Than Others

Whether you’re adopting domestically or internationally, some countries are automatically going to be more affordable or more expensive to adopt from. The U.S., China, and Ethiopia are some of the most affordable countries to adopt from. Russia, on the other hand, offers more costly adoption, costing approximately $60,000 to adopt a child.

Going Through the Foster System First Allows More Affordable Adoption

Instead of adopting a child directly, fostering a child first prior to adopting them is going to be thousands of dollars cheaper. In some cases, adopting through foster care adoption can be free and significantly easier than the traditional adoption route.

On Average, It Costs $30,000 to Adopt a Child

The costs for adopting a child might be more or less for you depending on where you live and where you’re adopting from. However, you can expect to spend approximately $30,000 on average to adopt a child.

That said, it’s a good idea to have significant savings set aside or to start getting preapproved or prequalified for a loan. Also keep in mind that sometimes you’ll have to pay costs for adoption, even if the adoption doesn’t end up going through.

Are you ready to start the adoption process? Look up adoption lawyers near me to get started.

Conclusion

Adoption isn’t something everyone can afford. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to adopt a child that might be more affordable. On top of that, there are financing options available for those who can’t pay out of pocket at the time of the adoption. In the end, knowing what costs you can expect with adopting a child is important before you begin your adoption journey.