Is there a cheaper way me & My wife can adopt overseas?

Question

I've heard/read that adoption overseas can cost somewhere around 25,000K.... USD. There has to be better options out there for overseas adoption...?

Answer 1

Every country has a different price for paperwork, etc.  Then you have to pay for the child's passport and all immunizations.  You will have to get cleared by your local government DHS. Some countries require that you actually come and reside in that country for a set length of time (between 2 weeks and 6 months, usually).  Other countries require you to come to the orphanage and interview,  meet the children, then go home and file all the paperwork and come back to the orphanage to pick up your child.  

There are several very good international adoption agencies.  Think about where you would like your child from and what age range you are looking for.  Most international adoption agencies only work with specific orphanages in specific countries,  not every agency works with every orphanage.  They all have different costs.  You will need to find an agency that has been around for a while and ask to speak with some of the families that have Had a child placed with them.  You don't want to get scammed.  Good luck.

Answer 2

It depends on the program you choose.  

There are huge variations in the cost of the process on the foreign govt side, from country to country.  

The US side of the immigration process costs the same, no matter which country chosen.  You still have to file the forms, fees, etc.

There is also differences in agency costs.  Some agencies like to charge some hefty "program fees" or "filing fees".  Do your research when choosing an agency.

Answer 3

People pay more for infertility treatments. If you want a child it's gonna cost you if you can't have one the old fashion way. If you REALLY want a baby then cost shouldn't be your first priority.

Answer 4

I recommend Christian World Adoption (and, no, it doesn't matter if you're not Christian, of another faith, whatever).  I used this very reputable, professional agency in 2000 to adopt in Russia after receiving a recommendation from another couple who adopted in Paraguay using the same agency.  This agency has been in the forefront of establishing international adoption standards with The Hague.  They're active in China and several other countries.

Anyway, Google the name and go to their website.  There is a lot of info and a lot of links there.  Christian World Adoption has programs to help people who don't have the money to adopt internationally.  

Also, consider that $25,000 would buy you a new car and you'd probably be willing to finance that.  How about a brand new beautiful life?  Where there's a will there's a way.  Good luck to you.  It was the best thing I ever did.

Answer 5

The only way that I know of to lower the cost is to actually live in the country you are adopting from and using a local adoption agency vs. an American one.  You would still have the homestudy completed before you leave. Obviously, months of living in another country isn't feasible for most people.  Also, you may not have that choice.

My cousin has worked and lived in China on and off since the early 80s and it cost her about $4,000 US to adopt each of her 3 daughters, by going through Chinese adoption agencies rather than American ones (all adoptions done this past year for what is her final trip to China).  Costs covered in American agencies include translators and interpreters, paperwork for the American Embassy, and even payments to cover care of other children in the same orphanage that your child came from.

There are things you can do to lower some of your costs and it helps to ask your agency about it. For instance, one poster indicated that she substantially lowered the cost of her homestudy by finding out ALL the documentation that would be required and getting it in advance, as well as paying for her own background check (obviously, you can't do your own). Whatever footwork you can do yourself will often save you money.

Answer 6

It may sound like a lot of money but with our adoption (China) the cost was broken down so we didn't have to have it all up front. We paid the fees as we received each service.

There is no 'cheap' international adoption. Whether we like it or not it is a business and the people who facilitate it have to make a living too.

If cost is a huge issue then I recommend checking into adopting from foster care.

Answer 7

i am not sure about overseas adoption but in the states there is such thing as supported adoption and it is actually NO COST to the parents.

Answer 8

You're lookin' for QUICK, too, right?

Yeah, that's the way to make major, life altering decisions.

"Cheap" & quick!

Answer 9

My "overseas adoption" only cost us $800 US but we were living in the other country at the time and didn't have to pay all of the "middle men" to get things done.  Mind you, to be able to qualify to adopt there we needed to be living in the country for at least a year before we could start the process so luckily my employer kept us there for 3 years which was more then enough time to do the one adoption we did.  We could have done more but my wife got pregnant after we adopted (she was not supposed to be able to have kids so I guess we were doubly blessed).

Other then that, the cheapest way to do it is the spend the $20-30 k it takes to do an overseas adoption the regular way.

Answer 10

How much adoption costs depends on the country where you adopt.  Check out different countries - the financial aspect will likely play into your decision to adopt.

Also consider adopting domestically.  Adopting through the foster system is very inexpensive and many times the fees and expenses incurred are reimbursable.

There is a federal tax credit for adoption.  Go to:

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html

for more info on it.  This will help you (after the fact) with some of the expenses involved.  Also some states have tax credits or deductions available - Google your state and "adoption tax credit" to see if your state has one.

There are many ways to raise money.  You can have a major garage sale, you can turn a hobby or side business into adoption funds, you can have a fundraising event (one couple I know did a chocolate and art silent auction and got more money than they planned, there are lots of ideas out there for it).

If you truly want to adopt internationally, you can make it a reality if you just explore the options.

Answer 11

Why don't you just adopt here in the states, there are tons of black children who need adopting, it's all over the news. Just tell your friends he's from Malawi, they'll be so impressed.