Adoption CostsFinancial InformationSo you're wondering how much China adoption costs? Is it expensive? What kind of financial aid is available, if any? How can I afford this?
You're right - it IS expensive. But it's worth it. And there's good news; you CAN get help with the financial aspects of adoptions.
But first, let's take a look at what's involved. Fee Breakdown Fees will vary a little from agency to agency. A lot of costs associated with adoption are paid to foreign and government agencies, so the amounts are pretty standard no matter what adoption agency you choose. The average international adoption from China costs about $25,000 - $28,000. However, please realize that Chinese adoptions can also range up to $35,000. Some agencies have considerably higher agency fees (and home study fees as well). This figure will also depend upon how many people travel with you to China. A prospective adoption agency should provide you with a fee schedule in their initial information packet. This will give you a breakdown of the costs associated with adoption as well as give you a way to compare costs with other agencies. Do your homework and ask questions!
Five CategoriesThere are five different general categories of adoption expenses. Let's discuss each of the five and what they involve!
These are adoption costs paid to your adoption agency for their services in facilitating your adoption. This may include home study fees, administrative costs, contract fee, certified mailings, communication with China, etc. Agency fees can be anywhere from $5000 to $12,000. You'll want to shop around when choosing your agency since costs can vary considerable from agency to agency. Some adoption agencies will do the state certification and Chinese authentication of your dossier documents for an extra fee. This would also be classified as an agency expense. These adoption costs are paid to the United States Government for approval of your I-800A application, your child's immigrant visa to the United States, and USCIS fingerprinting. At this time, the filing fee for Form I800A is $720 plus $85/person for fingerprints. The visa fee for your child is around $400 (approximately). This includes the $5300 (approx) orphanage donation, your child's passport, notary registration, and all the expenses involved with finalizing the adoption in your child's province. These fees are around $6500 - $8500.
Depending on how many people travel, the trip to China can be very expensive! By the time you purchase international plane flights, book nice hotels for two weeks, pay for your In-China guide, meals, transportation, visas, your child's plane ticket home, airport transfers, touring, etc... it can really add up! Travel expenses can be anywhere from $6,000 - $10,000 (for two parent travel). The timing of your trip to China will affect the cost somewhat. Summer is a much more expensive time to fly, as are holidays (both American and Chinese). Your adoption agency will probably give an estimate on the fee schedule, but ultimately these numbers cannot be predicted. This category is made up of all the non-official expenses - doctor's visits, overnight mailing costs, certification and authentication of your dossier (which can cost up to $1000) child abuse clearance fees, local fingerprint fees, social worker travel costs, the cost to obtain birth certificate/marriage licenses, etc. You'll spend several thousand dollars on these miscellaneous fees!
It's Just So Expensive!We all know that international adoption is expensive - but definitely worth it! How did you and your family deal with the costs? Did you fundraise, apply for grants, or just cut back on your spending? Share your money saving tips here. What Others Have To Say....Click below to see how other families dealt with the cost of adopting from China.
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Ways to Save
Coming up with the necessary funds to complete an international adoption isn't always easy. But for the determined family, it is definitely possible. A combination of savings, frugal living, grants/loans, and fundraising can get the job done. Consider these ideas:
Start saving at least a year before you plan to being the process. Start setting aside a fixed amount each month in a special fund dedicated to your adoption. Make it any number - but once you've decided on it, stick to it. Even $100 per month will, after one year, yield $1200! That's enough to pay for your home study (or part of it) or your I800A application and fingerprints. Small things make a big difference. Set aside something a little larger ($350 per month), and you'll have a sizable amount of money after 12 months has passed!
Start cutting out unnecessary expenses. Let's be honest - there's a lot of things we could do without. It's just a question of whether or not we have the desire to do so! Our family has personally cut out a lot of expensive luxuries and have saved a great deal of money in doing so! Set aside the money you save from cutting these items in your adoption fund. These are some of the actions we've taken in our own family.
- Discontinue your cable TV.
- Reduce your visits to restaurants and start cooking at home more often.
- Give up your family vacation for one year.
- Decide as a family to limit the gift giving at Christmas time. You don't have to cut it out completely, but try downsizing!
- Get rid of all the debt you can, starting with your credit cards. Monthly payments eat up a lot of your income!
- Stop going out to movies on a regular basis.
- Don't make unnecessary purchases. Instead of buying the latest book or movie, borrow it from your local library.
- Shop at secondhand stores or discount shops for your clothing. This has been a HUGE money savings for our family!
- Keep track of the extra pennies. A little purchase here and a little purchase here can add up to a LOT. Do you buy a coffee from Starbucks every day? A candy bar and drink from the snack machine four times a week? That adds up fast!
Take A Good Look
If you find yourself with little money left over each month, make a spreadsheet to keep track of expenses. For one month, keep EVERY receipt for EVERY purchase that you make, no matter how small (both credit card and cash). At the end of the month, input everything that you bought into your spreadsheet and label what you bought. Review the spreadsheet with your family. Highlight the purchases that were necessary (mortgage, gas, food, medical, insurance). Then highlight in a different color the purchases that were optional. Movies, games, candy bars at the store, DVD rentals, that new pair of shoes, going out to eat, etc... Did you really need those things? How much money could you have saved towards the adoption if you DIDN'T buy those things? What is your family willing to give up for awhile?