Expenses

Why is International Adoption So Expensive?

There are no bones about it.  International adoption is expensive.  Then, again, so is giving birth.  Because we are asking for your support we want to be transparent about where that money is going.  And, to put in in perspective, our bill for our birth daughter, not factoring in lost wages, etc., was well over $30,000.  With all the interventions and neonatal intensive care, I am actually surprise she was such a bargain.  Would we do it all again for her? Of course!  

In the world of adoption, the Philippine's is also a bargain.  We have heard of some adoptions, especially, China, that totaled over $40,000.  When we spoke with another agency before we started down this path, we were told that we would have to have $45,000 in the bank by the end of the home study to continue.  We also have an awesome agency that does a lot of work in the Philippines.  We truly believe that this agency advocates for ethical, last resort adoption (because adoption is NEVER the first or best answer, but sometimes it is the only answer available).  This agency also has very low fees to try to make sure they can support families and find homes for their children.  More about our agency and their community later.  They rock and I can't wait to tell you how they love these kids BIG! 

Here are the exact fees that we will pay.  This doesn't account for additional required post-placement visits, medical care, and additional travel expenses.

• Application Fee: $300
• HomeStudy: $2,000
• Medical and Psychological Evaluations: $1,000
• Pediatrician and Psychologist Medical and Psychological File Review: $500
• 1-800A Application and Fingerprinting Fee: $890
• Agency Processing Fee: $3,000
• ICAB Dossier Approval Fee: $200
• ICAB Placement Fee: $2,000
• Agency Placement Fee: $3,000
• Child's Visa and Travel Documents: $1,000
• Required Child Care Support Fund: $1,000
• Required Orphanage Donation: $1,000
• Travel In-Country Lodging: $6,500
• Post-Placement Visit Fees: $800
• Additional Travel, Medical, Surprise Fees, Etc: $1,810