Is there a general cost comparison for adoption vs IVF. My wife and I just went through IVF and will know tomorrow if we are pregnant or not. The total cost was around 12,000.00, and we were wondering about adoption costs compared to that.

From my research adoption costs range from about $2500 (for a special needs child) to $30,000 (for an international).

International costs generally range from about $12,000 - $30,000 depending upon the country you choose. You then after the adoption is finalized receive a $10,000 tax credit which will in the end help off set the cost of adoption - however you have to wait to get the money - it is not upfront.

Domestic adoptions range in cost from about $10,000 - 15,000 - but that is dependent on your agency, the state where you live and other criteria. There have been extreme cases where costs have been higher in both domestic and international adoptions but those are exceptions and not the rule.

Hope this helps.

With adoption you're virtually guaranteed a child in the end--with IVF, you could try a dozen times and still never carry to term. To me, that makes adoption a whole lot less expensive...

your employer may also have a policy of giving you an adoption subsidy - mine does but I only am reimbursed once the adoption is complete - mine is 2,500 but I know other employers provide more. Also adoption costs are not paid out all at once. Also if you adopt through DSS you may receive subsidies depending on the children you adopt and here in MA if you adopt through DSS you get free college tuition at any state schools.

I agree with spaypets about adoption being a guarantee - this is one of the reasons we skipped IVF attempts all together, but you have to do what is best for you both. Hope you get good news tomorrow!

We just found out I have "old eggs" and we will be going to our doctor on Monday to go over options. The nurse said we'll be discussing "egg donors". I guess we'll be deciding on what route to go. I'm only 32 and have dreamed of being a mommy my whole life. It sounds so scarry going to IVF route, the success rate seems so low for so much money. How long is the adoption process? Can you pick a profile for a child? If we go this route I know my husband will want a baby who is culturally most like us. Thanks for any help, I'm still stunned but know I will love a child no matter if it's mine or a strangers. I have worked in daycare and nannied and know it won't be an issue.

Hi Robsgal,
I'm sorry about your disappointing DX.

You asked about the time frame for adoptions--on the General Adoption board there's a thread where people talk about how long it took. The paper work/homestudy usually takes a couple of months -- sometimes longer if you're doing an international adoption -- there's lots more paperwork involved often.

The wait for a child, well, assuming you're going to adopt domestically, it might take only a few weeks to be matched or it might take much, much longer.

You can certainly request a child of nearly any ethnicity, but remember the more limits you place, the smaller the pool of potential matches and the longer it may take to be matched with an expectant mother. Also, the more willing you are to continue contact and openess with the birthmother after the adoption, the sooner you might be able to expect a match.

International adoption typically has more definitive time lines, but changes in the country's policy or US policy can upset expectations.

good luck in your decision!