Geez! That's A Lot of Money!!

We've received a few questions about the costs of adoption.  So, we thought it would be a good idea to let y'all know where the money is going (and no, it isn't going to grease the skids).

Approximate Costs for Gentile Adoption (ONE CHILD)

Adoption Agency Related Costs:

Application Fee                                                $250

Casework Services                                           1,750

Adoption Management/ Hague Services            3,250

Post Adoption Reports                                     1,000

Apostille Documents                                         105

Dossier Translation & Processing                      2,360

                        Subtotal                                    8,750

US Agency Costs:

USCIS/background checks                              $2,595

Home Study Report                                          2,500

Airfare to Latvia                                               2,500

                        Subtotal                                    7,595

Latvia In Country Costs:

Trip 1 - attorney fees, driver, translator, etc       $5,600

Trip 2 - attorney fees, driver, translator, etc       5,600

Trip 3 - attorney fees, driver, translator, etc.      3,500

                        Subtotal                                    14,700

                        GRAND TOTAL                     $31,045

The costs would be a few thousand more to adopt more than one orphan during the time we are looking at K. So, adopting two kids might run $35,000 depending on what region of Latvia they are from.

How does this compare to domestic adoptions or giving birth costs?

According to creatingafamily.org the costs of a domestic adoption are pretty much the same as a Latvian adoption.

US Birth Mother Relinquishment Private Adoption

Average Cost - Working with an Agency: $34,012

Average Cost - Working with an Attorney: $30,222

According to CNN the average cost of giving birth to a healthy baby in the United States is approximately $18,000 and $28,000 for a C-section.