The Cost of Adoption

Because we are going to be fundraising this time around for our adoption expenses, we wanted to be totally transparent with you and let you in on the numbers.  We are using Lifeline Children's Services based out of Birmingham, Alabama as our adoption agency (we used them last time too) and these figures come straight from our adoption binder we received from them.  My hope is this will give you a glimpse of what it costs to adopt internationally so as you hear of others doing the same thing you will have a better understanding of what this involves.

Costs	Description	Due Date
$250	Application fee
$2901.25	1st China program fee	Acceptance of application
$230	Required marriage computer survey	1 – 3 months
$250	Hague home study review	2 – 4 months
$2901.25	2nd China program fee	Completion of home study
$890	I-800A fees	3 – 4 months
$579	Document certification and authentication	4 – 6 months
$2901.25	3rd China program fee	Dossier to China
$500-$1190	China log in fee	5 – 7 months
$140- $600	China matching fee	At time of matching
$240	Passports (fee for 2 adults only)	Prior ot travel
$200	Crossings training	6 – 12 months
$2901.25	4th China program fee	Receipt of LOA
$350	Visa fee (for 2 adults only)	Receipt of LOA
$4800	International flight (for 2 people only)	Time of travel
$10000-$11500	Pre-paid travel expenses (based on 2 adults only—in country flights, guide, tips, hotel, breakfasts, etc)	Time of travel
$2875	In country expenses (spending money, lunches and dinners, orphanage visit, etc)	Time of travel
$530	Re-adoption fee	After child comes home

**Note that these are just estimates and are based on 2 adults traveling and the child being able to sit in the lap on the plane (we will need 4 airline tickets because Olivia will be going with us to China and the child we bring home will be too old to sit in our lap).  

So, what are we doing to help cover these expenses?  Here are a few things we are currently doing to help cover the adoption expense (I am sure we will be adding to this list as work our way through the adoption process too).

• We are applying for grants
• We are willing to empty out our savings
• We are cutting expenses (pre-paid cell phone plan, got rid of cable, eating out less and doing the envelope system with our money each month--think Dave Ramsey)
• We are selling things on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist
• We are fundraising