Adoption Costs and How Using a Consultant Can Help

How much does it cost to adopt?

Why is it so expensive?

How do families afford adoption?

These three questions are some of the most common I'm asked as an adoption consultant. And really, the underlying, real question behind all of it: How can we ever step into adoption if it costs so much? So many families feel called to build their family through adoption, but too often the costs are the biggest barrier.

At Christian Adoption Consultants, transparency and support are at the heart of everything we do. This guide walks you through the full range of adoption costs, including agency, legal, and travel expenses, and helps you explore grants, loans, and federal adoption tax credits that can help make adoption more affordable.

Typical Fees for Adoption in 2026

Currently, the average costs for domestic infant adoption in the U.S. are anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000. Typically, agencies able to complete an adoption between $30,000-$45,000 are small, non-profit agencies whose fees are subsidized by donors. However, for agencies doing many of the adoptions in the U.S., costs begin at $45,000.

Where do the fees go?

There are many legitimate costs to adoption to ensure that the adoptive family, birth family, and the child are getting quality care throughout the process. Here's a breakdown of where the money goes: 

Agency Fees

This includes administration fees, reports that are required (home studies and post placement visits) and marketing and networking costs. 

Birthparent Care

This is comprised of vital counseling for the expecting/birth parents (both before and after birth), possible living expenses, transportation, maternity clothing, utilities, etc. A good agency will always access community services that are available before asking the adoptive parents to assist with these fees.   

Medical Expenses 

If a birth mother is not fully covered by insurance for prenatal care and labor and delivery, these fees are a part of the adoption process to ensure both the birth mother and baby have proper healthcare. 

Legal Fees

Legal expenses include hiring an attorney for the adoptive parents and often the birth parents to ensure the adoption is handled legally and ethically for all parties involved. It also accounts for court filing costs and representation.  

Why is there such a significant range of fees?

There are several factors that contribute to the range of costs for each individual adoption. Some of these include:

• Geography and the cost of living 
• Specific needs of the expecting/birth family 
• Legal services required
• If the adoption is in-state or interstate 

While it's helpful to see how all of these fees add up, the critical question for hopeful adoptive families is still how to make adopting possible with these expenses. It's rare that families begin their adoption journey with tens of thousands in the bank waiting to be spent on adoption.

How can you make adoption affordable?

Families need to know there are options available to significantly lower the cost of adoption. Here are a few:

Adoption Tax Credit

For 2025, the maximum federal adoption tax credit is $17,280 per eligible child, with up to $5,000 of that amount being refundable. This credit helps cover qualified adoption expenses (fees, court costs, travel) for domestic adoption.

Employer Benefits

Many employers offer adoption benefits such as financial reimbursement, paid adoption leave, or access to employee assistance programs to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Grants

There are many grant organizations established to assist families with the cost of adoption. Adoption grants are financial awards given to adoptive families to help cover adoption-related expenses, and they do not need to be repaid. They are typically offered by nonprofit or faith-based organizations and may be based on factors such as financial need, family circumstances, or commitment to adoption.

Loans

Adoption loans are designed specifically for adoptive families and often offer low interest rates and flexible repayment terms. These loans can help families move forward while waiting for grants, tax credits, or reimbursements.

Creative Fundrasing

Many families raise funds through online crowdfunding, community events, and other creative and meaningful ways to share their story. Employer matching gifts, church support, and family-led campaigns can also make a meaningful impact.

Avoid Unnecessary Costs

There are pitfalls in bad agencies, unethical attorneys, risky situations, and unnecessary bills due to ignorance. Families who walk into adoption "blind" with no one to help them through the process often end up losing thousands of dollars this way. You can see that it's critical to find agencies and attorneys that provide ethical and excellent services to both the birth family and the adoptive family. To know that your adoption finances are well stewarded is of the utmost importance.

Affording adoption is not impossible. I've never had a family match with a situation and not have the money available. But that's not to say they didn't do the hard work of saving, fundraising, and financing for their adoption. And when you get down to it, is there any better investment you can make financially than investing in a child?

This is why I love what I do. As an adoption consultant, I help people through the complex task of finding quality agencies, ethical attorneys, and situations that are a good fit for their family. I also connect people to helpful grants and coach them on financing and fundraising. Christian Adoption Consultants has walked with thousands of families through the process of adoption.

The path to adoption isn't an easy one, and there are significant and very real costs both financially and emotionally. But ask any adoptive family if it was worth it for their son or daughter.  I'll bet they'll tell you they would have paid ten times more if they had to, now that they're on the other side and see the infinite value of their child.

Adoption is worth the cost.

Ready to learn how Christian Adoption Consultants can support you on your journey?

Contact me for a free info packet and consultation at susan@christianadoptionconsultants.com. I would love to chat about your hopes and dreams to build your family and help make it happen!