We are often asked the very logical question of “Why does it cost so much to adopt a child? Shouldn't it be free?” Having a better understanding of the complexities of an adoption can benefit almost every prospective adoptive family. 

The ultimate goal of every adoption process is a healthy adoption that is free from fraud and always serves the best interest of the adoptive child. Thus, adoption encompasses more than a child changing physical location and last name. In addition to completing the actual steps of the adoption, prospective adoptive families must be appropriately screened, educated, and equipped for life after the legalization of the adoption. 

The Hague Convention (Hague) was enacted fully by the U.S. in 2008 to preserve the right of orphaned children to experience the love and protection of a family through legal intercountry adoption when no other option exists in their country. Under Hague guidelines, U.S. agencies must develop a qualified adoption program in order to place vulnerable children from other countries into the homes of families from the U.S. Therefore, the process of adopting from Hague countries requires an agency that has been approved and accredited accordingly. This process is expensive and agencies can easily spend $30,000 to several hundred thousands of dollars to undergo their Hague renewal every four years.

Because of the guidelines that exist to complete the adoption process in the best interest of each child, which includes adequately preparing families and following lawful mandates, completing the process of adoption involves fees in three over-arching areas: agency fees, in-country fees, and additional fees paid to third parties and out-of-pocket expenses.

Agency fees allow the agency to comply with the extensive licensing and regulatory standards of service and requirements set in place for adoption, including the follow services:

• Carefully and professionally screening, educating, evaluating, equipping and training, coaching, counseling, reporting, and administrating the following groups of people: agency staff; each prospective adoptive family; the agency’s in-country facilitators; and foreign supervised providers, including attorneys and employee representatives
• Collecting, reviewing, authenticating, translating, and shipping official documents according to regulations
• Completing all work in compliance to state, federal, and international law and documented accordingly
• Maintaining quality relationships with U.S. Immigration, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy in each country, the central authority in each country, international and U.S. courts, as well as individual social welfare institutions
• Maintaining liability insurance, facilities, equipment, offices and office overhead expenses, staff salaries and benefits, and more to provide the necessary tools and services to ensure families, children, and staff are getting the best possible care

Also, there are fees directly related to the child's immigration processes paid to USCIS, immigrant visa's, plus in-country adoption program through the country’s central authority, regional authority, social welfare institute, or some combination. These fees vary by country, and Hague requires agencies to be transparent up front about the expected fees.

Adopting internationally involves travel and, therefore, travel expenses. These expenses vary widely by country and are dependent on many factors, most important the distance and length of time in country. Time in country will vary from weeks or months, and some countries require multiple trips. In fact, these third party out-of-pocket expenses often total close to one half of the total cost of international adoption and can include the following items: Passport and visa fees, immunizations, flights, accomodations, food, transportation, outings/sightseeing, the cost of taking time off work if not paid, the cost for someone to house sit, pet sit or child care for children remaining at home, etc. 

There’s no way around it—the adoption process is expensive because much is required and necessary to protect and serve the precious children who are awaiting families. Now, here’s some good news on the financial side. Many families qualify for grants, scholarships, no interest loans, and U.S. government tax credits, and many raise additional money through robust fundraising projects. There are copious fundraising tips and hints found on the internet, and Pinterest has a ton listed. A Love Beyond Borders is happy to provide a starting list of resources to help fund your adoption, just ask! Email us at info@bbinternationaladoption.com for a list of resources.