Worth Every Penny

We are getting closer and closer to traveling to pick up our daughter! As the stress (and excitement) of traveling out of the country for nearly a month starts to creep up on us, we are so incredibly relieved to set aside the stress of funding. Because... 

We are FULLY FUNDED!!! 

What does 'fully funded' mean? Fully funded is when a combination of personal finances, donations, grants, and income from fundraisers come together to cover your adoption expenses entirely. 

Now, what can be tricky to understand is that a family can become fully funded, then later find out that their expenses have changed. Adoptive families do their best to consider all of the costs and estimate the expenses that will be charged in country but things are constantly changing. However, in S's country most of the expenses are paid before we travel so they are not likely to change between now and then. But, airline prices are always fluctuating, the length of time in country may extend, or emergency expenses may come up. 

Most of you know that adoption is EXPENSIVE but we haven't really broken down the costs and where the money is being spent. So, we are going to provide a break down here for you. Keep in mind, our journey is unique so we have had added expenses from partially completing Desmond's adoption in Ukraine then starting over for S's adoption. Also, every country and program is different so our costs may look different then someone else's. These are all things to consider when you are looking to adopt and picking a country that is right for your family. 

Home Study Agency Costs: 
Every family has to complete a home study if they are going to adopt or foster. This is completed by an agency within your state and for international adoptions, it is typically separate from your international adoption agency. 

First Half of Home Study & House Visit Travel Costs- $1,524 

Second Half of Homestudy & Country Change- $1,350 

Post Placement Report & House Visit Travel Costs x2- $450 

Desmond/Ukraine Adoption Costs: 

Facilitator/Translation Fees: $1,400 

Oversight Agency Fee: $2,250 

State Department-Mandated Monitoring Fee $500 

International Agency Costs (S): 

Application Fee- $250 

Agency Fee- $5, 350 

This consists of review of paperwork, entering an agreement with the home study agency, advising the client throughout the process, providing 35 credit hours of adoption education, two courses of attachment coaching, counseling on adoption documents, travel preparation and support. 

State Department-Mandated Monitoring and Oversight Fee- $500 

Express Mailing Fee- $125 

Shipping and tracking of legal documents locally and internationally 

Dossier Service Fee- $3, 217 

This consists of assistance in preparation and review  of dossier, coordinating with in-country facilitation, communication with US State Department and US Embassy throughout the adoption process. translation and submission of the dossier to Central Authority.

International Service Fee- $1, 019 

This consists of fees required by the foreign providers, translators, attorneys and administrative personnel who ensure that the child is eligible for adoption, collect medical and social information on the orphan. As well as, providing legal, interpreter and translation services for the family for paperwork, court, appointments, to obtain the child's passport, and embassy interviews.

Court Reporter- $226 

This covers the fees for an official court reporter required for court and a verbal translator. 

Country Hosting Fee- $2, 081 

This fee covers the cost of a private apartment for an estimated 23 days of in-country stay. 

Wiring Fee x2- $300 

Sending money from bank account to bank account internationally. 

In-Country Bank Charge- $45 

DS-260- $425 

This fee will be paid at the US Embassy to cover the application for the child's visa. 

Child's Visa- $325 

Child's Passport- $45

Child Medical Exam (@ Embassy)- $100 

The US Embassy will require a medical examination prior to the child leaving the country. 

Post Adoption Reports Fee- $1, 400 

This fee includes costs associated with monitoring compliance and completion of post placement reports as required by the international country. The agency will collect the reports from the home study agency, translate & certify the reports, and ship them to the authorities in country. 

Our Passports- $290 

Fingerprinting- $110 

USCIS Application & Fingerprinting- $775 

Airline Travel (5 tickets)- ~$5,000 

Our current estimate is for plane tickets is through Adoption Airfare who works to coordinate discounted flights for families adopting, doing mission or other humanitarian work. We will have to get one way tickets because we don't know how long we will have to stay (based on passport/visa for S). Right now, the plane tickets would be about $650/adult going there. Coming back it would be about $650/adult and then $595 for a child. However, our flights are going to be booked last minute due to short notice for travel and during the most expensive travel season so they are likely to spike! We are giving ourselves some wiggle room.... 

In Country Expenses- ~$2,500

This will cover the cost of food, transportation, sight-seeing, and other needs that will occur during our 23 days in country! 

Total Adoption Cost: $31, 557 

(This total cost does not include the shipping, stamps, cost of paperwork, apostilles, or notaries-- unfortunately I did not do a good job keeping track of all these little miscellaneous expenses but they probably added up to about $1,000) 

Wowza! That is a lot of money... You may feel a little shocked or overwhelmed looking at this cost breakdown. And, if you ever felt called to adoption, you may be thinking this is exactly why you haven't proceeded. BUT, remember we are fully funded! 

No, it was NOT easy. Getting to fully funded was a year of hard work to fundraise and apply to grants, LOTS sacrifice in order to save money, and a whole lotta generosity from our amazing supporters! 

It is possible. We are ordinary people. If we can do it, you can do it. There are so many resources and adoption veterans that are ready to help guide you. 

And most importantly, remember that you cannot put a price on a life. We would have paid every single penny to have our son home-- to save his life. And, equally, we will do whatever it takes to get our girl home. She is SO worth it!  

As always, THANK YOU, to each and every one of you who helped us reach this goal. Whether it was sharing our fundraisers on social media, donating money, donating items for our fundraisers, or participating in our fundraisers.

We could have never done it without you and you have lifted a huge burden from our shoulders. Now, we can completely focus on the homecoming of our daughter and helping her thrive as she experiences the love of a family for the first time. Thank you for seeing her worth. 

XOXO

Anyone considering adoption, please reach out. We are here to help you. There are so, so, so many waiting children. Please do not allow the finances to stop you. It is possible.