What does an Ethiopian adoption cost?

Cost is always a popular question we field. Although we sense that most want to ask, a few actually do. So, here is the answer. With International adoptions each country has its own fee structure and some can be quite expensive while others are more reasonable. Another factor is the agency you chose to facilitate the adoption. Agency costs can also vary widely.

I have copied and pasted the following from our agency's brochure.


Part I: Adoption Study Fees. This is the fee for the homestudy. This can range from $600- $2,000 in the state of Utah depending on the social worker used.
Application Fee: $250
Processing Fee: $4,000
Dossier-associated fees: $350 (approx.)
Homeland Security government fees for I-600A: $545, fingerprints: $70person.

Part II: Ethiopia Country Program Fees.
The Ethiopia program fee is $7,100 and covers:
Child identification expenses
Medical expenses
Translation of documents
Child identification expenses
Medical expenses
Translation of documents
Registration fees
Childcare and associated supplies such as diapers, formula, food, etc.
Representative and his staff, including caregiver salaries
Legal fees and document processing
Humanitarian aid and program development
Child’s medical exam required for U.S. visa
Child’s U.S. visa

In addition is a required in-country expense charge of $600 which includes:
Lodging at our CHSFS Guest House
Family style meals
Transporation by care center staff
Child’s Life Book

Part III: Travel to Ethiopia. Travel and stay: $2000 - $5400 (Approximate. Low range based on single parent adopting single child and high range based on family of 4 with two kids over the age of 2.)

In addition to these above fees you need to also consider fees for shots. We have been fortunate to have all of our shots covered by insurance with the exception of Yellow Fever and Typhoid. Those shots were about $300.00 for Shawn and I.

It goes without saying you need to have a valid US passport.

If you have contemplated international adoption and you are finding these fees staggering, please keep in mind several things. The year in which your adoption is finalized you may qualify for a $10,000 tax credit. This is not a deduction but a credit. Check with your health insurance company and your employer, they may offer financial help for adoption. For us, we were shocked when we called our health insurance company to check on pre-existing conditions with our new son and the insurance company said...."Do you know your health insurance plan offers a $4,000 adoption benefit?"

In addition, there are several websites that offer grants to qualified families.

For Shawn and I, we decided this was what we were supposed to do and it has been amazing the doors God has opened. It reminds me of a quote on the signature of our friend in the forum.

"God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called."