Why Does Adoption Cost So Much?

Another question I am asked quite frequently is about the cost of adoption.  Shouldn’t adoption be free?  After all, millions of children need homes, right? 

While it is true that in a perfect world, that was not governed by human law but by God’s command to love and take care of one another, adoption would be free.  But then again, in a perfect world, there would be no need for adoption.  Sadly, that is a far cry from the world we live in.  We live in a world made up of borders and laws.  We have to follow national and international laws and treaties, state and local laws, and also the customs and courtesies of each county.  The same laws that will protect our children and guarantee them the basic rights afforded to all US citizens are the laws that have definitions attached.  If this was not the case, how would we define “dependent children” or “citizen”? 

With that being said, in order to protect birth parents, adoptive parents, and most importantly the children, there are fees associated with legal contracts, government issued documents, social work reports, document processing and filing, and travel expenses.  There are fees required to help with the transition homes and orphanages where our children are being cared for. There are fees associated with our adoption agency, where countless people work to facilitate adoptions.  Keep in mind, adoption agencies are 510 (c)(3) or “not for profit” organizations. 

It is true, adoptions are a very costly undertaking.  My best guess is that most domestic and international adoptions cost an average of $25,000.  To do a quick comparison, most Americans spend about that much on a new vehicle, yet the average American owns his or her vehicle for less than five years.  To help ease the financial burden, there are many fundraising options and grants available to adoptive families. 

If you feel like God is leading you to adopt, please to not let the “price tag” be a show stopper.  While finances are indeed important, there are creative ways to raise the funds necessary.  Is it hard work?  Of course!  Do you have to put more faith in God to provide than you are comfortable with?  Yup!  Will God provide?  No doubt! 

Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”