Agency Expenses

Getting started with an agency can cost around $1,000-3,000. You’ll be working with experts to help you navigate state requirements. This initial application fee covers time and expenses for social workers to help you get approved for adoption by the state of Ohio.

Most agencies charge a final placement fee which covers the cost of administrative and professional services provided to adoptive and birth families throughout the process. This will likely be your largest expense and varies from a few thousand dollars to over $20k.

Adoption Training and Home Study

A home study can range from $1,000 to $ 2,000 and includes the compulsory background check (criminal and child abuse or neglect). You’ll also have to gather documents such as birth certificates and, if applicable, your marriage license. If you need to order certified copies, you may be required to pay a fee to the state of Ohio.

Mandatory adoption training can cost between $100-500, depending on the number of units you take. Your social worker may also suggest additional courses such as infant CPR. While CPR isn’t required, it is a skill that will look good to a birth mother.

Marketing Your Family to Birth Mothers

After your family is accepted as a prospective adoptive family, you’ll want to create a Family Profile. Your profile includes photos and tells birth mothers about your family. The cost of creating your profile will vary, depending on whether you use a professional service to help you design it and if it includes a physical book as well as a digital profile.

Birth Mother Expenses

The state of Ohio allows birth mothers to be paid up to $3,000 for medical and living expenses during the pregnancy. As the adoptive family, you’re responsible for any pregnancy and delivery-related medical costs that aren’t covered by the mother’s insurance or Medicaid. She can also claim expenses for housing, utilities, and prenatal nutrition.

Legal Fees

Adoption is a legal process involving the adoptive parents, the birth mother, and the biological father. As the adoptive family, you’ll cover attorney fees for yourself and the birth parents. You’ll also be responsible for any filing fees and court costs for adoption proceedings.

After Your Child Comes Home

You should expect a follow-up visit from your social worker after your child is placed in your home. This ensures that the child and your family are adjusting well. This post-placement visit and consultation can run between $1,000-2,000.

Travel and Miscellaneous Expenses

If the agency and birth mother are local, these costs will be small. But if the mother is located in another part of the state, you’ll incur expenses related to visits with the birth mother and agency, as well as traveling to meet your new child.

Financial Help is Available

It’s heartbreaking to think many families let go of their dream to welcome a child because of high adoption costs. No one wins when that happens.

Many agencies do all they can to keep costs low. But other options can put your dream of adoption within reach.

• Adoption Grants and Loans: There are several lending institutions who offer loans to help families cover adoption costs. Before you sign the paperwork, you should consult with a financial planner.
• Crowd-Sourced Fundraising: Several popular fundraising sites allow users to create fundraisers for child adoption.
• Tax Credits: You can claim an adoption credit on your federal and state income taxes. The Internal Revenue Code allows up to $14,000 in tax credit and the state of Ohio allows up to $10,000. If your tax bill is less than these amounts, you may be able to roll part of that credit over to the following tax year.