Adoption Fees
Cost of Adopting a Child?
The Cradle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit adoption agency. As such, we do not seek to make a profit from our adoption services. The Cradle makes every effort to keep adoption a financially accessible option for building your family.
Each program has their own fee structure based on the services The Cradle will be providing to you. For some of our programs, you will be working with a separate placing agency/primary provider which you will need to ask them about their fees.
All fees are subject to change. Learn about our Refund policy.
Adoption Programs
See the fee structure below for The Cradle’s Adoption Programs:
Schedule of Fees and Expenses
Effective April 15, 2021
Fees may be paid by check or credit card
| Domestic Program | Intercountry Program | Agency Assisted Program | |
Registration Fee With Registration Paperwork | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Home Study Phase I With Application | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Home Study Phase II At 3rd Interview | $1,600 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
Home Study Completion At Home Visit | $1,400 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Total Home Study Fee | $4,000* | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Home Study Update Fee | Included in Program Fee **** | $300 per update | $300 per update |
| Agency Assisted Coordination Fee | If applicant’s list with agency(ies) in addition to The Cradle, AAP fee applies | N/A | $750/first agency, $250/each additional agency |
| Post-Placement Fee | $300/visit, if additional visits required*** | $300/visit*** | $300/visit*** |
| Program Fee | $12,700 | Varies by Country | Varies by Agency |
| Placement Fee | $22,200** | Varies by Country | Varies by Agency |
| Total | $38,900+ | Varies | Varies |
* $4,000 fee includes pre-adoption education and up to three post-placement visits for Cradle Domestic Program only.
** If placement of twins, placement fee is 50% higher.
*** Minimum of three visits required by The Cradle. Fees must be paid in full before initial post-placement visit. If Domestic applicant’s take placement from agency other than The Cradle, AAP post-placement fees apply.
****If an applicant’s home study needs to be updated for reasons other the annual update, then $300 will be charged.
Finding Families for Children Initiative
To ensure we have sufficient options for all expectant parents in our General Domestic Program, and parents for every child entrusted to our care, the Finding Families for Children Initiative was established. This initiative reduces the adoption fees for three categories of applicants in The Cradle’s Domestic Program:
African American Adoption
African American and multi-racial African American prospective adoptive parent applicant(s) applying for the adoption of a child of African American heritage.
| African American Adoption Fees | |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $500 |
| Home Study: Phase I | $500 |
| Home Study: Phase II | $1,600 |
| Complete Home Study | $1,400 |
| Total Home Study Fee | $4,000* |
| Program Fee | $6,800 |
| Placement fee | $11,700** |
| Total: | $22,500 |
* $4,000 fee includes pre-adoption education and up to three post-placement visits.
** If placement of twins, placement fee is 50% higher.
Birth Sibling Adoption
If applicant completed a home study for The Cradle’s Domestic Program previously and has returned to adopt a birth sibling.
| Adopting a Birth Sibling Fees | |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $500 |
| Home Study: Phase I | $ – |
| Home Study: Phase II | $ – |
| Complete Home Study | $3,500 |
| Total Home Study Fee | $4,000* |
| Program Fee | $- |
| Placement Fee | $11,000** |
| Total: | $15,000 |
* $4,000 fee includes pre-adoption education and up to three post-placement visits.
** If placement of twins, placement fee is 50% higher.
Adoption of a Medically Fragile Child
Applicants applying for the adoption of a medically fragile child who is expected to be eligible for an adoption subsidy (also known as Adoption Assistance) based on the child’s disability.
| Adopting a Medically Fragile Child Fees | |
|---|---|
| Home Study: Phase I | $500 |
| Home Study: Phase II | $1,600 |
| Complete Home Study | $1,400 |
| Total Home Study Fee | $4,000* |
| Program Fee | $ – |
| Placement Fee | $3,500** |
| Total: | $7,500 |
* $4,000 fee includes pre-adoption education and up to three post-placement visits.
** If placement of twins, placement fee is 50% higher.
Need help with adoption expenses? Visit our educational platform Adoption Learning Partners to learn about the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, up to $13,840.
Find information on financial resources available to help make adoption a financially accessible option for building your family.
