All adoption paths

Domestic Infant Adoption

Adopting a newborn within the United States

$25,000 – $60,0001–5 years (average 2–3 years)

Overview

Domestic infant adoption involves adopting a newborn or very young child placed by their birth parent(s) within the United States. This can be done through a licensed adoption agency or independently through an adoption attorney. Most domestic infant adoptions today are open or semi-open, meaning some level of ongoing contact between the birth and adoptive families is maintained.

Cost breakdown

Total estimated cost: $25,000 – $60,000

Home study$1,500 – $3,500

Required assessment of your home and readiness to parent

Agency fees$15,000 – $35,000

Covers matching, counseling, and case management

Legal fees$3,000 – $8,000

Attorney fees for finalization and interstate compliance

Birth parent expenses$2,000 – $8,000

Medical, living, and counseling expenses (varies by state law)

Advertising/outreach$1,000 – $5,000

Profile creation, website, and marketing to connect with expectant parents

Travel & lodging$500 – $5,000

If matched with a birth family in another state

Post-placement visits$500 – $2,000

Required supervision visits before finalization

Remember: The federal adoption tax credit (up to $16,810 per child in 2025) can offset a significant portion of these costs. Many employers also offer adoption benefits.

Key facts

  • About 18,000–20,000 domestic infant adoptions occur annually in the US
  • The federal adoption tax credit for 2025 is up to $16,810 per child
  • Most states allow birth parents a revocation period (24 hours to 30 days depending on state)
  • About 90% of domestic infant adoptions today are open or semi-open
  • Independent (attorney-facilitated) adoptions are legal in most but not all states

Advantages & considerations

Advantages

  • You typically adopt a newborn or very young infant
  • Open adoption allows ongoing connection with the birth family
  • Extensive support from adoption agencies throughout the process
  • The adoption tax credit can offset a significant portion of costs
  • No travel abroad required

Considerations

  • Wait times can be long and unpredictable (1–5+ years)
  • Costs are among the highest of adoption types ($25k–$60k)
  • Birth parents may change their mind before placement (disruption risk)
  • The process can be emotionally demanding due to uncertainty
  • Interstate adoptions add legal complexity (ICPC compliance)

Trusted resources

AdoptUSKids — National Adoption ResourcesCreating a Family — Domestic Adoption GuideChild Welfare Information Gateway — AdoptionNational Council for Adoption

Explore other adoption paths

Foster Care

Up to $3,000

6 months – 2 years

Adopting a child from the public child welfare system

International

$30,000 – $60,000

2–5 years

Adopting a child from another country

Considering IVF as well?

Use our IVF cost calculator for transparent, state-level pricing with add-ons and multi-cycle success rates.

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