Adoption Budget

Because I feel that it is incredibly helpful to other adoptive families to see a breakdown of the budget, I have included it here.  I also think it's important for those who have supported us financially to see where it is that their money is going.  We are not "buying a child" as so many mistakenly assume.  We are paying for a process in which a child is legally given a family.  The expense is in the travel, the lawyers, the adoption agencies fees, and so many little fees that add up throughout the process!  If you are interested in reading the full blogpost on our financials, you can find the post here.  The items listed below in purple are those that we have already paid for.  They are exact.  The items listed in gray are simply estimations of things we will have to pay, based off of what we have gathered from other adoptive families.

Reece's Rainbow FSP Application Fee - $25

Home Study Fee - $1250

Home Study oversight fee (to About A Child) - $500

Child Abuse Clearance Fees (Florida and SC) - $64

Local Background Check - $6

Certified Copy of Marriage License - $30

Fingerprints - Police Department - $10

First Case Management Fee (About A Child) - $1750

Grant Application Fees - $10

Apostille fees - FBI, Marriage license, documents for dossier, 1800a cover letter - $98

FBI background check #1 - $36

USCIS application (I800a) - $720

USCIS Biometrics - $170

Physicals for Medical Clearances - $60

USPS - postal fees for dossier - $23.78

First Bulgaria program fee - $2250

Second Case Management Fee (About A Child) - $1750

Educational Materials (books on DS and adoption) - $25.05

Pictures for dossier - $24.55

European adaptors for trip one - $17.10

Second Bulgaria program fee - $4575

Special Needs Adoption Class (Heart of the Matter) - $70

First Trip Airfare - $3366.56

First Trip Food/Lodging/misc. - $814.51
Gift for foster mom - $32.74
Postage - i800 - $5.05

Child Visa - $325

Second Stage Fingerprints - $20

Second Stage Caring Hands for FBI clearance - $51

Second Stage Background Checks - $110
Second Stage Apostille of Documents - $50

Parent Physicals for Second Stage - $30

Third Bulgarian Program Fee - $4075

Second Trip Airfare (2 adults, 1 child) - $2847
Gift for foster mom and birth mom - $107.40

Second Trip Lodging - $500

Second Trip Food/Extras - $800

Child Medicals - $60

TB Blood Test - $120

US Birth Certificate - $25

Post Placement Reports - $1000
Apostille Fees of Post Placement Reports - $40

TOTAL - $27,843.74