“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
Domestic Adoption – (for US citizens) the adoption of a child who is born in United States
The Terms:
International Adoption – (for US citizens) adoption of a child born outside of the United States.
Cost
International: Varies by country and by agency. Fees are normally known up front. According to Adoptive Families Magazine, the average cost is between $20,000-$40,000, with China and Ethiopia being on the lower end of the scale, and Russia and Guatemala being on the higher end.
Domestic: Varies by agency and situation. If done through the foster care system, cost is very little. Depending on the circumstances, adopting couples can be responsible for the birthmother’s care and medical expenses when doing a private or agency adoption. Adoptive Family Magazine states that the average domestic cost is typically between $15,000-$25,000
Available Children
International: Depends on the country. The youngest at time of arrival in the United States tends to be around 6 months. However, this is not common. More toddlers are available than infants. Background information can be unknown, as well as medical history. However, many orphanages have medical charts on the children. Children are from an orphanage or foster care.
Domestic: Ages 0-18. Boys and girls available. Often, family information is known as well as medical history. A family wanting a healthy caucasian infant will wait longer than a family open to a child of any race.
Program Length
International: For most countries, the process and timeline are known. It is almost like standing in a line. The U.S. is not in control of timelines, and adopting couples must follow the timelines and rules of the country from which they are adopting. The average time for an international adoption is 12-18 months. However, the country you use, and how specific you are with your requested child, will be important factors in how quickly, or slowly, your adoption proceeds.
Domestic Adoption: If you go through an agency for a newborn adoption, you will complete a home study and then create a profile. This profile will be viewed by prospective birth-moms. You adopt when you are chosen by a birthmother. There is no formal line and no way to know how long you will wait. The average wait for a family adopting domestically is two to 24 months. Your agency, state of residence, and requested child will all be important factors in how long your wait lasts.
Travel
International: You will most likely have to travel to the country from which you are adopting. There are certain countries that will allow you to have an escort bring your child home, but this is discouraged. Some countries require two trips to the country, one to meet the child, and one to return and finalize the adoption. Adoptive parents bring their child home at the end of the second trip.
Domestic: If you adopt a child from a different state, you will have to travel to that state to pick up your child and finalize your adoption. If you adopt from your home state, there will be no travel.
