Fees
The cost of adopting a baby through our agency starts at $18,500. If any additional fee's are applicable they will be established on a case by case basis.
This fee includes the following:
Birth mother Counseling
Utah law requires birth mothers to have two face to face counseling sessions prior to signing a relinquishment. Each state has their own requirements as to counseling. Some birth parents may require additional counseling.
Living Expenses
Birth parents often need help with pregnancy related expenses as well as help with food and rent money. This is provided on a case by case basis.
Medical
Some birth mothers do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have their own insurance. Under these circumstances, we will pay for their medical costs (vaginal delivery only). You will be responsible for the babies medical costs. Usually your health insurance will pick this up.
Termination of Birth Father
We will do whatever is necessary to terminate all birth fathers that are unknown and unlocatable. We will also serve notice to known birth father's.
Advertising
We receive some birth mothers as referrals from other agencies, we also advertise on the Internet and through phone books.
This is what is not in the agency fee:
Home study and Post Placement Visits
You will pay for a home study at the time it is conducted. In Utah you will also be required to pay for two post placement visits after you have adopted (some states may require more or less visits). The post placement visits are not included in your home study fee. The cost for your home study and post placement visits varies depending on the social worker who conducts them.
Travel
The adoptive family is responsible for travel expenses. If the birth mother has been flown to Utah without first being matched, then her travel expenses will be added to the $18,500 once a match has been made. If the birth mother has chosen you before she comes to Utah, then we will ask you to purchase her plane ticket. If the birth mother has chosen to stay in her state, then the adoptive family will be responsible for their airfare to that state to pick up their child.
Legal
The adoptive family is responsible for finalization. This means you need to retain an attorney within 48 hours of returning to your home state so the attorney can start the paperwork.
If you reside in a state that requires birth-parent termination, any fee's associated with such will be the responsibility of the adoptive parent.