The cost of adoption is surprising. Given the amount of money we’re trying to raise and your partnership in that process, we want to be as transparent as possible about how money is spent.
Agency Fees: $18,000
Our agency fees include things like our home studies, application fees, and any other fees required by our adoption agency, Lifeline (we’ll post later on why we chose this organization). After our initial application fee ($300), we’re responsible for four agency fee payments of $4,425. We’ve already paid our initial application and agency fee.
Foreign Program Fees: $12,500
Foreign program fees include things such as a facilitation fee, translation fees, and program management. We’re currently attempting to adopt from Hungary. Our confidence in the team on the ground in Hungary is one of the reasons we’ve chosen this country. Our first foreign program fee is due at dossier submission ($4,000); our second is due when our referral is accepted ($8,500).
Estimated Third Party Fees: $2,000
Third party fees cover evaluations and other services such as background checks and immigrations services.
Travel Expenses: $10,000+
One of us will be required to stay in Hungary for 45 days. Depending on the time of year, our entire family would like to go; minimally, both Michael and Elizabeth want to spend time there bonding with our prospective child(ren). Those cost will vary based on airfare, in country medical exams, and how many of the Stewarts are able to travel.
Miscellaneous: ?
We want to be prepared for unexpected costs and post-adoption costs as well. Any “extra” funding beyond adoption fees can be used for items such as:
- multiple child adoption: our fees could increase as much as $4,000 per child for additional children
- language and ongoing education (our family wants to learn Hungarian and we want to provide English language training for our adopted children)
- family counseling to help all of us adjust to our new lives
- necessary upgrades (we might have to add a room depending on available children, or upgrade a vehicle with higher seating capacity)