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Agape Adoptions

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    • Adoption Programs
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    • Dominican Republic
    • Ghana
    • Honduras
    • Hong Kong
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    • Ivory Coast
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    • Sri Lanka
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Understanding the Costs of International Adoption and the Role of Agape Adoptions

  Embarking on an international adoption journey is a deeply rewarding path, but many families understandably have questions and concerns about the associated costs. It's common to feel that the fees are high, and it's important to understand what those fees entail and the support available. Agape Adoptions is committed to transparency and to helping families navigate every aspect of their adoption, including the financial commitment.


Below, we answer some common questions about funding your adoption. 

Please reach us at myriam@agapeadoptions.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

It's crucial to know that Agape Adoptions is a nonprofit organization. The fees paid are not for profit but rather cover the extensive services you receive throughout the complex international adoption process. These services involve numerous professionals, governmental bodies, and logistical arrangements in both the United States and your child's country of origin. International adoption is a regulated process designed to protect the best interests of children, and this necessitates a comprehensive and thorough approach.


The overall cost of an international adoption is a sum of various essential services and processes. This amount varies depending on the country program and specific circumstances. Agape Adoptions provides detailed fee schedules for each country program, offering a clear picture of the anticipated expenses.

Here’s a general breakdown of where your adoption fees are allocated:

  1. Agency Fees (Agape Adoptions): As a nonprofit, our agency fees cover the      direct services we provide to you. This includes:
    • Home study services (where applicable)
    • Parent education and preparation
    • Dossier guidance and review
    • Case management and support from dedicated social workers and staff
    • Communication with foreign programs and authorities
    • Post-adoption support and reporting assistance
    • Operational costs to ensure we can provide these professional services ethically and effectively.

  1. Government  Document Processing (State, Embassy, etc.): A significant portion of your dossier involves obtaining and authenticating documents through various U.S. government offices, including state-level certifications and embassy legalizations.
  2. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Fees are paid to USCIS for processing your orphan petition (I-600A/I-600 or I-800A/I-800) and your child’s subsequent visa application.
  3. Accrediting Entity: Agape Adoptions is a Hague-accredited agency. Fees are paid to our accrediting entity, CEAS (Center for Excellence in Adoption Services) for the crucial oversight and monitoring that ensures ethical practices and compliance with international adoption standards. This accreditation is vital for the protection of children, birth families, and adoptive      families.
  4. Foreign Country Central Authority and Attorneys: These fees cover the work done in your child's country of origin. This includes:
    • Fees to the country's Central Adoption Authority or relevant government  ministries
    • Legal fees for in-country attorneys and Foreign Supervised Providers who handle the in-country adoption processing   
    • Translation of documents
    • Sometimes, a required contribution to the orphanage or child welfare programs

  1. Travel Costs: This is a significant component and includes:
    • International airfare for one or both parents
    • Lodging and living accommodations in the foreign country (which can range from       one to multiple trips of varying lengths)
    • In-country transportation


We understand that funding an adoption is a major consideration. Agape Adoptions is dedicated to supporting you through this. Families typically finance their adoptions through a combination of:

  • Adoption Grants: Numerous organizations offer grants specifically for adoption.
  • Loans: Adoption loans are available from various financial institutions.
  • Budgeting & Savings: Personal savings often form a foundational part of financing.
  • Fundraising: Many families successfully raise funds through community efforts and online platforms.
  • The Adoption Tax Credit: A significant federal tax credit is available to help offset adoption expenses (consult a tax professional for details).pictures, and visits. Agape Adoptions offers support and guidance for families considering open adoption.


Scroll down for additional information about these resources.


About Your adoption finance coach

To actively assist you, Agape Adoptions provides a personalized Adoption Finance Coaching Service (YAFC) with a customized adoption finance plan for you, free of charge. This invaluable service offers:

  • Webinars: Covering various aspects of funding your adoption
  • Training Videos: Accessible resources to guide you
  • Consultations with a Coach: Personalized guidance to help you create an adoption budget, and learn effective strategies for fundraising, grant applications, and more!


While the journey involves significant financial planning, Agape Adoptions is here to provide guidance, resources, and support every step of the way, helping you bring your child home. We are committed to making this process as transparent and manageable as possible.

Affording to adopt

Grants, Scholarships, & Loans

Various organization offer financial support to families wanting to adopt internationally. 

Agape Adoptions families have received grants from the follow organizations:


  • 25K Campaign
  • A Child Waits Foundation
  • Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Associates Home Loan Adoption Grant (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Both Hands
  • Bree's Gift
  • Brittany's Hope
  • Chicago Coalition for Family Building (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Gift of Adoption Fund
  • Hebrew Free Loan 
  • HelpUsAdopt.org  (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Journey to Parenthood (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Lifesong for Orphans
  • National Adoption Foundation (LGBTQ-friendly)
  • Never Alone Foundation
  • Orphan Outreach
  • ShowHope
  • The Sparrow Fund

The Adoption Tax Credit

A federal tax credit is available to eligible families.

The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) has updated its Adoption Tax Credit articles and resources for the 2025 tax filing season. 


Adoption Tax Credit Questions 

This article answers a number of frequently asked questions on the Adoption Tax Credit, including what it is, how it works, how families can qualify, what is needed to apply, what expenses are covered, and others.


Understanding the Adoption Tax Credit

This article provides a detailed look at the Adoption Tax Credit, with a brief look at its history in addition to important information about eligibility guidelines, documentation requirements, and FAQs.


Adoption Financial Resources

This article offers information on a range of financial assistance options for adoption, including federal and state adoption tax credits, subsidies, loans, and more.


Visit: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607 (or look up IRS tax topic 607) to learn more.  

Zoe!Fund Grants for Waiting Children

In Greek , the word Zoe means "life" but not just ordinary life…vitality!

This is our vision for children with special needs…a life of vitality rooted in the unconditional love of a family.


A Waiting Child is a child who is in immediate need of adoption and is ready to be matched with an adoptive family. We regularly receive information from our international partners about children who are in need of immediate adoption. The child has been identified by their caretakers as a child who would thrive in an adoptive family. 


The ZOE! Fund allows Agape Adoptions to offer grants for specific waiting children who are on Agape Adoptions' advocacy list, making the costly adoption process more manageable for families who are ready to welcome these precious children into their homes.


Due to privacy concerns, we don't publicly display photos of the children. However, we can provide more information on our secure Waiting Child pages. To access these pages, you'll need to create an account.


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