International Adoption Expenses
What would you estimate the cost for international adoption to be?
Depending on the country you are adopting from, and the number of required trips, your total estimated costs for an adoption can range from $25,000 - $43,000.
Is any portion of my fees tax deductible?
Yes. A $3,000 orphanage donation is also included in the program fees (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Taiwan). This donation is used for humanitarian aid and to improve the conditions of the orphanages.
What is the cost to adopt a second child?
Biological siblings may be adopted from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and possibly may be available in Taiwan. Please refer to the Sibling Fee Structure which is located in the Agreement for International Adoption Services. In addition, you will have additional out of pocket expenses for the child's airfare, visas, etc.
Are we required to take large sums of American currency with us or does Nightlight wire the money?
You will take cash with you. If you decide to work with our agency, we will go over that information with you pre-travel.
Employee Benefits
Many companies are beginning to offer Adoption Benefits to their employees. The company may reimburse some of the adoption expenses paid by the employee, or they may offer paid adoption leave. Check with your Human Resources department to see if your company provides adoption benefits.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010)
This Act provides a refundable tax credit (not a deduction) of up to $13,170 per adopted child and applies to both domestic and international adoptions. Adopting families with combined incomes of $182,520 or less can qualify for the full credit. Families earning a combined income of $222,520 or more do not qualify for the credit.
Additional information on the tax benefit is available from CCAI, In Focus: The Adoption Tax Credit. If you have questions as to what fees and expenses can be applied towards the tax benefit, please contact your tax preparer or the IRS directly.
Are my only other expenses my travel, accommodations, home study, CIS, Embassy fees?
Those would be the majority of your other expenses. Also included in your out of pocket expenses would be your apostilles, gifts to the orphanage staff and children and driver/translator fee.
Adoption Services Menu
Nightlight Christian Adoptions is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) adoption agency, licensed by the states of California and South Carolina to provide adoption services, and is Hague Accredited through COA. Nightlight can perform adoption homestudies for residents of South Carolina and Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties).