Adoption Expenses: Why Does It Cost So Much?

Thank you so much for your support, prayers, and donations.  While the financial cost of adoption is significant, there is not one BIG check sent to one place, agency, or country.  We thought it might be helpful to share an itemized list of the adoption expenses with updates on our progress.  We created a “Page” located on the side bar to the right titled Adoption Expenses, and we will keep it up-to-date.  (www.TommyAndKendra.com/expenses)

The following is our application & financial progress as of December 18, 2011.  The estimates shown below are for the adoption of one child from Ethiopia.  We do not know the exact cost of adopting two at once yet, but we anticipate an additional $5,000-$8,000.

The total we have saved and received as of December 18, 2011 is $19,000!

APPLICATION & HOME STUDY

Formal Application to Adoption Associates Inc.:  $300  PAID
Agency Fee (Part 1):  $2,600  PAID
Live Scan Finger Printing:  $212  PAID
Adoptive Online Learning:  $161  PAID
Certified Copies of Birth & Marriage Certificates:  $95  PAID
Home Study (Part 1):  $1,250 PAID
Home Study (Part 2): $1,000 PAID

DOSSIER PREPARATION & SUBMISSION

USCIS I-600A filing:  $830 PAID
Dossier Notary/Authentication:  $330-$510  PAID
Agency Fee (Part 2):  $1,250  PAID
Ethiopia Office Expenses (Part 1):  $1,860  PAID
International Program Fee (Part 1):  $1,500  PAID
Dossier Translation:  $550  PAID

REFERRAL & IN-COUNTRY

Agency Fee (Part 3):  $1,250 PAID
Ethiopian Office Expenses (Part 2):  $1,550 PAID
International Program Fee (Part 2):  $1,500 PAID
Humanitarian Aid:  $2,000 PAID
Child’s Visa x2:  $800 PAID

TRAVEL/ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

Airfare to Ethiopia Two Times:  Est. $6,000-$8,000
Lodging, Meals, Misc. in Ethiopia Twice:  $2,000-$3,000
Supplemental Fee for Agency Services:  $500 per quarter until children arrive home

POST ADOPTION SERVICES

Post Adoption Services: $1,300

GRAND TOTAL:

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