Financing Adoption


One of the primary barriers for many families who are considering adoption is the cost. We often hear, “Why does it have to cost tens of thousands of dollars to adopt a child?”

Because adoption is a complicated process and there are many types of adoption, sorting through the costs can be confusing. The bottom line is that out-of-pocket expenses can be substantially less than the initial total cost that people are told at the beginning of the process.

Why do Bethany’s fees vary from office to office?
Bethany hires experienced staff, trains potential adoptive families, and processes the considerable paperwork that is required for each adoption. Costs for these services vary by state and location because adoption requirements and operational expenses for offices vary by state and location.

Bethany Christian Services is a not-for-profit agency, and because we raise more than $10 million a year in financial contributions, we set our fees with the goal of making them as affordable as possible. We want to place as many children as possible in loving families and work with our clients to overcome economic barriers to adoption.

Domestic Infant Adoption
Domestic Older Child Adoption
(Foster Care Adoption)

International Adoption
Total estimated cost to deliver services
(this is how much it costs Bethany)

$20,000 - $30,000
(depending on state)
$0 - $10,000
(depending on state)
Varies by country
Total estimated cost to receive services
(this is how much it costs adoptive families)


$14,500 - $25,500
(depending on state)

$0 - $3,000
(depending on state)

$15,000 – $40,000 (depending on country)

Federal Adoption Tax Credit (This is a reduction in the amount of taxes owed by qualified taxpayers. This is not a deduction.)

$12,150 (2009)
$12,150 (2009)
$12,150 (2009)
State Adoption Tax Credit (available in at least 15 states)

$0 - $5,000
(depending on state)


$0 - $5,000
(depending on state)


$0 - $5,000
(depending on state)


Employer/Military Adoption Benefits (more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies offer benefits)

$0 - $10,000




$0 - $10,000




$0 - $10,000




Adoption Grants

$0 - $4,000

$0

$0 - $4,000

Net Total Adoption Cost* (range)

$0 - $3,500


$0


$0 - $29,000


Net Total Adoption Cost* (average)
$2,350
Qualified taxpayers receive up to $12,150 in tax credits.
$11,850


*Net Total Adoption Cost assumes qualifying for the federal adoption tax credit and not receiving any state adoption tax credits, any employer adoption benefits, or adoption grants. For the most up-to-date adoption tax benefits for your specific situation, please consult a professional tax advisor.

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Bethany Christian Services also offers adoption loan programs (ACCU, HelpUsAdopt.org, and The Orphan Foundation) that can help provide funds in the early stages of the adoption process that can be recuperated after receiving funds from tax credits, employers, or grants.

For a reference of adoption costs across the industry, click on this link to the 2005 Adoption Cost Survey from Adoptive Family Magazine.

http://www.theadoptionguide.com/cost/articles/how-much-does-adoption-cost

To help us continue to keep our costs as low as possible, please consider making a donation to Bethany that will benefit children in need.

To speak with a local Bethany expert about financing your adoption, please contact us or call 1.800.BETHANY.