[lilmom613]

I'm torn between domestic and international right now. What is the average cost for adopting a child under 5 domesticly? If anyone is wondering why under 5 I don't want to mess with the birth order and my youngest is almost 7. I promised him his baby sister would be younger even though she might not be an infant. Also what is the average timeframe? Please PM me with any agency references or warnings!!!

[Gs_Mom]

Good questions, but really hard to answer.

If you go through child services, the cost is usually very low. That may be a good option for you if you do not want a newborn.

If you go through a private adoption it can VERY expensive depending on how many service providers are involved and if you are paying the potential birth parents expenses. I have seen numbers from $0 to $40,000.

The time frame can be similarly varied. We matched in 3 months with our first and it took a year for our second (after we were homestudy ready). I know others have matching sooner and later. It depends largely on your flexibility -- for instance it can be a longer wait if you are wishing for a caucasian girl. And there are other factors as well.

Sorry -- not very helpful!

Good luck.

[lilmom613]

Thanks and it was helpful. New question We live in Louisiana if we register with child services is there a way to get on list for different states. How does that work? I'm hoping a birthmom will fall in our lap lol.

[lilmom613]

Sandee your 2nd adoption was finalized om my DD 11th bday!!!!

[Gs_Mom]

Sorry, I don't know anything about child services. I know there are lots here with experiense on that front. Try posting to the General Adoptive Parents forum.

And, yes, 3/11 is a special day

Good luck.

[eagleswings216]

If you are planning to adopt from foster care, the cost may be very little. If you go through a private agency, it depends on the agency and if the child is special needs. I think I heard somewhere the average cost for a healthy infant was $25-30,000

We looked into international adoption and decided not to because it is so expensive. The fees may look lower at first, but when you factor in the travel expenses, it really shoots up. Some countries require you to stay for as long as 6 weeks, which can result in loss of income in addition to the other expenses. I'm glad people do international adoption, but it was not the right choice for us.

Good luck!!

[Amysue1112]

Hello and welcome to the adoption world! You will find this is an excellent resource and you will be so much more educated about adoption as you read and ask questions. That being said..
Regarding International adoption...prices/timeframes/ages/health of child are soo varied.
RUSSIA
We adopted from Russia in 2006, and it was a long hard road to our precious daughter. We spent about 45K with all the travelling, 2 trips. (but that is varied too in Russia..one friend just finalized but ended up taking FOUR trips to Russia!) Every agency is different, every region is different, and frankly, in Russia, every adoption is different. We are so very blessed with our daughter, but will not go back to Russia for #2 mostly b/c of the emotional strain (4 referrals..one lost the morning we were meeting her) and the weeks of travel. Some adoptions in Russia are smooth, and many more are quite challenging..you just have to be prepared for anything. (also we waited 2 yrs..it is a much longer wait for a girl in Russia). Age range you are willing to adopt does make a difference though-a year is pretty much the youngest you can adopt from Russia..at least last I checked.

CHINA-from what I am told, it is a VERY long wait in China. My friend has been waiting 3 yrs..and is looking at 1 or 2 more years of waiting.

GUAT-don't know much about Guat these days, but I know they have had some issues (but as I remember, it is much less travel)

DOMESTIC-
We are looking into this now. We have received a lot of great info and references which I will send via PM.
I have been very surprised to see just how expensive Domestic adoption is if you do it through an attorney or agency (or facilitator as we will be doing if we proceed)
These folks know a lot more than I do about this, but it looks like generally it is around 25-35K. If you would like to adopt a toddler, then maybe fostercare is the way to go. It seems like it really varies state by state too.
I was also told that some agencies/attorneys will put families without children ahead of families with children..and this is one benefit of going through a facilitator (they work with a number of agencies/attorney's so you have more opportunities to be matched). This is about the extent of my knowledge of domestic adoption, but I am learning every day.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[Amysue1112]

Eagleswings is right about int'l adoption.

OUr agency fees were only 18.000..but with 2 international flights, 2 in country flights, hours and hours of drivers' fees, interpreter fees (we had to have one for EVERYTHING, facilitator fees, hotel costs, gifts to caregivers and orphanage..(not bribes though..we were NEVER asked for $ in Russia except for services) it REALLY added up. At least with DA, well, at least what I am told, your fee is usually all you pay (unless you agree to extra birthmother expenses in some states). In IA-it is never ending..especially when you wait a long time. Documents needed done over and over, homestudies updated every year..notarizing, apostilling..it really adds up.

[Renator]

could you also PM the information on domestic adoption? we are just starting our journey and are not quite sure where to start, there is so much information available. thank you

[therust]

AmySue,
could you please pm me with the domestic adoption info that you have? We too are in the beginning stages and in need of some good references.

Thank you for your help