Is there any way the adoption process can be cheaper?

Question

I really want to have an international adoption. The more I research about it though, the more expensive it sounds. 25,000 not including all travel fare! Wow! Don't get me wrong, I'm financially stable enough to raise a kid. It would never go without anything. I'm just wondering if there are any non-profit organizations of some sort that offer to help with this kind of situation. I preferably wish to adopt from an Asian country such as China, Japan, Korea, so forth. Can anyone recommend some good agencies there? Guatamala is also in our list though. Thank you!

Sorry, just thought I would add this. I'm not into international adoption because I think it's trendy or cool! I just love differant cultures. My husband is Guatamalan! Secondly, I'm not putting a price on the kid. If it was 100,000 I'd still want it, it'd just have to be one heck of a loan. And lastly, I'm perfect OK with adopting in the US. I've never put much thought into because I always have heard the process was very long. I've even heard one woman was on a waiting list for 16 years, whearas international adoption normally takes around 2 years. Unless I'm wrong? Is it possible to adopt in the US and not have such a long wait? Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Why not give a home to an american child who may be sitting in a orpahange 2 miles from your house right now?County adoptions are the way to go.
I know international adoption is all the rage right now but I've worked in group homes and there are so many kids here that would benefit from the stability.

***I think the fastest way to adopt would to become a foster parent and adopt the kid(s), who need permanent placement, that seem to be a good match for your family.
It's true that if you adopt a child you are fostering, the county will cover the fees.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

Google adoption grants or adoption fundraising. This will help you find agencies and groups that offer grants. You do have to put some work into it and there is no gaurentee that you will get one, but it is free money! Research each grant carefully because they all have different criteria. Some are for Christians only, some are for international adoption, some for domestic adoption, etc. There are also some places that offer interest free lones. And, there is always the fundraising option if you have supportive family members and friends. Some people are offended by adoption fundraising, but if you have the ambition and won't get hurt when you get rejected, you could give it a chance. (I am crocheting handmade scarves and afghans to raise some funds. Lots of work, but I feel like I am working towards my goal and every piece I sell puts me one step closer!)

As far as how you adopt, that is up to you. I have been an approved adoptive parent through the foster care system for over 2 years and as of right now I still don't have a placement. I am also a foster parent, but haven't yet been able to adopt any of my foster children yet. Domestic verses international is strictly up to you. No matter which way you go, people will question you, so don't worry to much about that. Any child that needs a good home will benefit from being adopted. If you have thought about it and your heart is set on internation adoption, than do that. Best of luck to you! I hope everything works out for you.

Answer 3

We adopted both of our children from Korea, and had a very possitive experience with the Korea program. The fees, including everything were just under $20,000 total, but there is also an $11,000 tax credit that you'll recieve after the adoption is finalized. Also, many large employers offer adoption assistance of a few thousand dollars. Their are also many low-interest adoption loans and some grants available.

Here are a few reputable agencies that work with the countries you mentioned.

http://www.holtintl.org
http://www.bethany.org
http://www.dillonadopt.com

The first two have adoption forums for parents who are in the process or have adopted either internationally or domestically. It is important to remember that each family is different and need to choose the type of adoption that works best for their family and the child. We definetly didn't adopt internationally because it was trendy but because it was the best match for us.

Answer 4

Check out Lifelink. I don't think you will find it any cheaper.

Why not go through the state you are in or a local church if you are worried about finances? You can specify what nationality you want - even if they are US born they can be from another culture.

Do as much research as you can and make the decision that is right for you.

I kind of agree with some of the other people answering - it isn't that expensive when you think of what you are spending the money on.

Another thing to look into is every adoption website has links to agencies that help with the cost of adoption.

Answer 5

I've been looking at adoptive photo listings since 1998. We've only been officially homestudied since February. We found out yesterday that we might have a chance at a newborn white baby through the foster care system. I'm still in shock, because I never thought we'd even come this close to getting a baby! but we're also being considered for 12 year old twins and their little brother, and add our foreign exchange kid to the mix, and we could really have a full house by Christmas!

Oh, and if you want to go international for less money, try Belize.

Answer 6

Please be careful when referring to a child as a "kid" or "it". I don't think that you meant any disrespect, but as adoptive parents, we need to meet a higher standard. The social worker may actually make notes of these little factors when you have your interview. It WILL NOT keep you from getting a child, but it may cause you to endure additional questions.

OK, on to your question:
International adoptions are expensive, and the countries that you can adopt from are getting to be fewer and fewer. Africa is pretty much wide open. Just keep in mind that there is a high rate of AIDS in Africa. Guatemala, if it isn't already closed, will be closing soon to US adoptions because of the health conditions in Guatemala (the US is closing it, not Guatemala). China and Russia are placing severe restrictions on international, especially US, adoptions. All this adds up to the costs going up because of the additional paperwork and time requirements.
You don't have to adopt internationally to get a diverse culture base. If you want a hispanic child, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona can be a resource.

Answer 7

I suggest contacting a local adoption agency that specializes in both international and domestic adoptions. They can explain all of the fees and wait periods, etc., to you the best.

With regards to international adoption...you mentioned your husband is Guatemalan. Is he a citizen of Guatemala? That may help you but you would need to check with an agency.

Other ways that are "cheaper" and also have less of a waiting period are private adoption if you can find a birthmother privately. You can also try the foster care program. Typically the government will assist you with many of the fees in a foster/adopt situation.

Good luck to you. I know it sounds expensive, but it was worth every penny for us.

Answer 8

we are working on our second adoption from Ukraine. We did not and are not using an agency. Our state offers a $10k tax credit for adoption and the federal gov't does as well. Also, many employers offer grants for adoption (my hubby's gave us $5k)

ukrainianangels.org is the website for the lady who is guiding us.

We looked into Guatemala....the attorneys are in control of the adoption industry there. My understanding of Latino culture is to be family oriented....and they are not inclined to give up children. Just my opinion......it's has become an industry where people are buying and selling babies. I couldn't become a mother that way...but it's a very personal opinion.

Good luck with whatever direction you choose!

Answer 9

Yes, international adoption is expensive. No doubt about it. There is a federal tax credit available for adoptive families which will help financially. Go to http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html for more details. Some states also have tax credits. You can contact your state's department of revenue to find out if yours does. Some employers offer adoption benefits. Go to http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/afw/adoption_friendly_employers.asp to learn more about it. Go to http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/materials_list.asp?Category={B013A8EF-53BB-4232-9E97-27F0F8DBDBEE} to see about how to petition your employer to start offering adoption benefits if they don't currently.

There are also grants available (Google "adoption grants" or "adoption loans") that you can check into. You can Google for fundraising ideas, too, which could help.

You should definitely look into domestic adoption. Private domestic adoption is just as expensive as some of the international programs...however, adoption from the foster system carries no cost...or nearly no cost.

Answer 10

No way to make it legally cheaper through a reputable agency. you should be wary of "discounts". Not as an insult, merely more a curiosity, I just wonder why you won't consider adopting within your own country. If you're in the US, there are so many kids/toddlers/teenagers/babies clogging up the foster care system. You'd be surprised to see how many non-Caucasian kids there are.
Plus you get your tax breaks, many american employers will match your fees. Some insurance companies will help pay your fees.