One of the reasons the adoption process may seem complex is because there are various types of adoption. If you are interested in domestic infant adoption, as opposed to international adoption or public adoption (also called foster-to-adopt), you may find the following information helpful. The following information applies specifically to private infant adoption.
How Many Domestic Infant Adoptions in the US?
While reports indicate total yearly adoptions in the U.S. have declined from 2007 to 2014, this is primarily because these figures include international adoption numbers, which has drastically decreased in the last 15 years. However, there has actually been a slight uptick in domestic infant adoptions between 2007 and 2014. In 2007, the number of domestic infant adoptions in America stood at 18,078. The most recent available data from 2014 shows an increase to 18,329. Domestic infant adoption accounts for .5% of total live births and 1.1% of live births to single parents in the US.
How Much Do Domestic Infant Adoptions Cost?
According to a 2014 poll by Adoptive Families Magazine, the average cost of a US newborn adoption through an adoption agency is $43,239, while a US newborn adoption through an adoption attorney is less expensive, costing an average of $37,829. Some of the typical expenses include lawyer fees, travel to meet the birth mother, birth mother expenses, and the costs to join a program. It’s important to consider that this figure does not factor in the tax credit from the federal Adoption Tax Credit. Also, note that this is an average, and expenses can vary amongst different agencies and attorneys.
How Long Do Domestic Infant Adoptions Take in 2018?
The time it takes for an adoptive parent to be selected by a birth mother varies due to multiple factors. About 60% of available adoptive parents are matched within one year, and that figure increases to 82% within two years. It’s important to note that parents who are stricter with their wish list, i.e. gender or race, tend to have longer wait times; while parents who are open to all genders and races typically will be matched in a shorter amount of time. If by chance it takes longer than expected, these resources may be useful: Why Are Others Getting a Match before Me and What Adds to the Domestic Adoption Wait.
Understanding Your Options
The first step in pursuing domestic infant adoption is learning as much as you can about the adoption process. It’s best to talk with experienced adoption experts to help answer your questions. AdoptHelp is an adoption attorney with case workers who are ready to assist you. Contact us if you want to learn more about adopting a newborn in the US. We allow you to create a personalized adoption plan based on your needs.
Please note that AdoptHelp and its employees are not financial advisors. These tips have been provided for informational purposes only. Please contact your personal financial planner or financial/tax advisors for more specific information.