Brad and I have learned a lot about adoption during the past few months. We've read, researched, and talked to adoption professionals. It's been a great experience so far...adoption is something I've always felt in my heart, so I love learning more about it and especially reading adoptive family testimonials. Someone once asked if I get tired of people questioning me, talking about it, explaining the process, etc. The answer is absolutely not! I sincerely enjoy educating others with what we've learned and sharing our experience with you.
One of the big questions is, what will your adoption cost? I'm not afraid to give this answer, as I feel it is part of the education process. Domestic infant adoption (through an adoption agency) typically costs between $15,000 - $40,000. Of course, they can be less and they can be more....our number falls somewhere in the middle. These numbers are based on the information I was given by the agencies I contacted when doing my own research.
Why is it so expensive?
I will break it down even further and list our projected budget:
Application Fee: 195.00 - PAID
Home Study in WI: 2,169.44 - PAID
Home study review fee: 200.00 - PAID
Video profile development: 1,300.00 - PAID
Activation fee: 2,000.00
Agency fees (listed below) 18,000.00
- advertising to locate the potential birth parent
- counseling and relinquishment proceedings
- living expenses needed by the birth mother during her pregnancy
- medical expenses needed by the birth mother and/or child
- foster care, if needed
- legal and termination fees to finalize the matter in a court of law
- agency travel expenses if needed
- agency fees
Total: 23,864.44
--This total does not include post placement reports or travel expenses for when our baby is born. We are required to travel to the baby's state within 24 hours of the phone call telling us the birth mother is in labor/ or the baby has been born. We then have to stay in that state for 7-10 business days as the paperwork between the baby's birth state and our state of Wisconsin is finalized. I'm not looking forward to caring for a newborn and a toddler in a hotel room! So, hopefully the baby is born in a state where we have family or friends...beware we may come knocking on your door with 2 screaming kids! :)
To help fund these expenses, we are doing a fundraiser. We will be selling our own screen printed tees, along with jewelry and other homemade items. You can find them here. We greatly appreciate your support in our journey to build our family!
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