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Growing a family is a personal process and the choice between adoption or surrogacy involves emotional, legal and financial aspects to consider. Cost is one of your most significant considerations. This article will explore the differences between the costs of adoption and surrogacy, the budget considerations of each, and considerations about preparing financially for your family journey. By understanding these options, you can make the best decision to achieve your goal and stay within your budget.
Cost is usually the deciding factor when weighing out options between adoption or surrogate pregnancy. Adoption can range from free to $60,000, depending on what type of adoption. Surrogacy tends to run between $40,000 and $250,000. Surrogacy costs more because there are medical procedures, legal fees, and paying the surrogate as she gets compensated on top of her medical bills and expenses like travel and any extra costs incurred during the process. Adoption offers ways to do it for a low cost, especially if it is after any kids have been adopted in the foster care system. This article breaks down the costs and also highlights some differences that can help you make the decision that is best for your family.
While adoption and surrogacy are two very different paths to parenting, the cost of each one varies in different ways. Adoption consists of becoming a legal guardian for a child, often via foster, domestic agency or international adoption, depending on the process. Surrogacy arrangements involve a surrogate carrying a child to term either with your genetic material (gestational surrogacy) or with the surrogate‘s egg and your sperm (traditional surrogacy). The costs of each option depend largely on medical procedures, legislative requirements, and agency involvement. Here is a brief overview of each.
Costs vary based on what type of adoption, starting at no cost, and can go up to over $50,000. Costs typically include agency fees, legal fees, and birth mother support. Below is a full breakdown of the different types of adoption:
Fostering care adoptions processes is the least expensive option at typically free to roughly $2,700. Unlike the adoption and guardianship process, foster care is supported through tax dollars for various expenses such as home studies (typically $1000 – $5000). The foster care option is a good choice especially if you are willing to adopt children from the foster care system. Because of family reunification timelines involved in foster care, the process typically takes longer with emotional considerations.
between $25,000 and $30,000. You will incur such expenses as agency fees, legal fees, and support for the birth mother, including medical expenses or living expenses, etc.. Domestic adoption is a predictable process but certain aspects of the process may vary based on the laws in state and agency services.
Costs of international adoption vary between approximately $25,000 and $50,000 depending on which country you want to adopt from. Costs include agency fees, travel and dossier related to the specific requirement of the destination country. Each country has its own special requirements for international adoption. The process can be challenging because of international regulations, however, families can adopt from several countries, including China and Ethiopia.
without an agency involved, can cost between $15,000–$40,000. Costs will include legal fees, medical costs for the birth mother, and counseling. Independent adoption may save you agency fees, but intended parents must navigate the independent process alone. Depending on the adoption situation, the successful independent matching and placement of your adoptive child may happen for families using an adoption attorney or independently from their birth mother, which can be difficult.
Doubling as a licensed organization, agency adoption costs from $15,000 to $30,000. Expect to pay for background checks, home studies and placement supervision from the agency. Agency‘s pro and con is they offer support and structure to the process, which attracts those wanting to adopt as easily and streamlined as possible.
Typically, surrogacy costs more than adoption due to medical procedures, surrogate compensation, and legalities. The costs of surrogacy can vary. This is impacted by the type of surrogacy, and whether you choose to work with an agency. Below is a summary of the two main types of surrogacy:
Gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate carries an embryo created with either the intended parents‘ or a donor‘s egg and sperm, will cost between $100,000 and $250,000. The most significant expenses will include:
If there are multiple cycles of IVF or complications arise, the cost can increase substantially.
Traditional surrogacy, where a surrogate mother‘s own egg is used, is a less common form of surrogacy and can cost approximately $40,000 to $75,000; although, while medical costs can be less, legal fees may be higher due to a potential adoption arrangement or custody. Because traditional surrogacy is less predictable, it also involves different emotional and legal risks.
In terms of upfront costs, surrogacy tends to be 2 to 10 times more expensive than adoption. For example, gestational surrogacy costs $150,000, while domestic agency adoption costs about $25,000. (Read More: surrogacy in Iran) The least expensive option to adopt is through foster care, which is often free! International adoption and surrogacy tend to be the most expensive options. Surrogacy provides a biological connection, and the timeline for surrogacy is easier to predict. Adoption has many different, more affordable, and easier ways to go through the process. Your choice will be dependent on your available funds, desire for a biological connection, and your comfort level with the adoption process.
You have to plan for the up–front costs of either adoption or surrogacy. Here are some ways to be financially mindful:
Deciding between adoption or surrogacy is one of the biggest decisions of your life, and knowing the costs will enable you to make the best decision for your family. Adoption is affordable, some options cheap through fostering, while surrogacy offers a genetic connection, with a higher cost option. At VitaLife, we focus on facilitating and guaranteeing surrogacy. With our guaranteed surrogacy program for only $35,000, you can bring a child with your genetics into your family, that is a fraction of the typical cost. Start your family building journey today, with VitaLife.
