Domestic Adoption

Key Considerations

Infants adopted domestically often (though not always) have more in common with their adoptive parents in terms of racial and ethnic background.
The potential exists for some degree of contact between your family and the child's birth family after the adoption (See Open vs. Closed Adoption). Even if the adoption is not fully open, persons adopted domestically may have an easier time locating their birth families if they decide to search as adults.

Waiting time

Waiting time varies, depending on what the adoptive family and birth parents are looking for.
Determining factors include whether or not the adoptive family is looking for a child with a similar background, whether adoptive parents are willing to take a child with special needs, and how much openness adoptive parents are willing to consider.

Costs

Adoption through a private agency

Licensed private agency adoption costs range from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on agency, state laws, or certain health criteria.
Licensed organizations screen prospective adoptive parents and supervise the placement of children in adoptive homes until the adoption is finalized.
Costs for this type of adoption include an agency fee and may include the cost of the home study, birth parent counseling, adoptive parent preparation and training, and social work services involved in matching the child to a prospective family.
The fees charged by licensed agencies are generally predictable, and some even have sliding fee scales based on family income.
Some agencies offer reduced fees to prospective parents who locate a birth parent on their own but need the agency for counseling, facilitation, home study, and supervision services.

Independent domestic infant adoption

Independent adoption costs range from $8,000 to $40,000. The average is $10,000-$15,000.
Independent adoptions involve less oversight than licensed agency adoptions. Adoptions must comply with state laws.
Costs for independent adoptions handled by an attorney generally include medical expenses for the birth mother (as allowed by law), legal fees for representing adoptive and birth parents, and any allowable fees for advertising. Additional medical expenses may be required in situations in which there are birth complications.
State laws restrict many of these costs, including any reimbursements to the birth mother. Restrictions may also exist regarding advertisements seeking expectant parents. Where allowed, such advertising expenses may range from $500 to $5,000.

For more information on adoption costs, see Costs of Adopting: A Fact sheet for Families




		Key Considerations Infants adopted domestically often (though not always) have more in common with their adoptive parents in terms of racial and ethnic background. The potential exists for some degree of contact between your family and the child's birth family after the adoption (See Open vs. Closed Adoption). Even if the adoption is not fully open, persons adopted domestically may have an easier time locating their birth families if they decide to search as adults. Waiting time Waiting time varies, depending on what the adoptive family and birth parents are looking for. Determining factors include whether or not the adoptive family is looking for a child with a similar background, whether adoptive parents are willing to take a child with special needs, and how much openness adoptive parents are willing to consider. Costs Adoption through a private agency Licensed private agency adoption costs range from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on agency, state laws, or certain health criteria. Licensed organizations screen prospective adoptive parents and supervise the placement of children in adoptive homes until the adoption is finalized. Costs for this type of adoption include an agency fee and may include the cost of the home study, birth parent counseling, adoptive parent preparation and training, and social work services involved in matching the child to a prospective family. The fees charged by licensed agencies are generally predictable, and some even have sliding fee scales based on family income. Some agencies offer reduced fees to prospective parents who locate a birth parent on their own but need the agency for counseling, facilitation, home study, and supervision services. Independent domestic infant adoption Independent adoption costs range from $8,000 to $40,000. The average is $10,000-$15,000. Independent adoptions involve less oversight than licensed agency adoptions. Adoptions must comply with state laws. Costs for independent adoptions handled by an attorney generally include medical expenses for the birth mother (as allowed by law), legal fees for representing adoptive and birth parents, and any allowable fees for advertising. Additional medical expenses may be required in situations in which there are birth complications. State laws restrict many of these costs, including any reimbursements to the birth mother. Restrictions may also exist regarding advertisements seeking expectant parents. Where allowed, such advertising expenses may range from $500 to $5,000. For more information on adoption costs, see Costs of Adopting: A Fact sheet for Families