Travel Costs in Adoption

Depending on the agency you work with, you may be paired with a prospective birth parent who live hundreds of miles away from you. Many factors will play a part in your overall travel costs for your adoption. You can talk with an adoption professional today learn more about these expenses.

Unless you are pursuing a domestic adoption with a birth mother who lives near you, you will want to factor travel costs into your adoption budget. This aspect of your adoption may seem difficult to prepare for financially, but once you have been matched with a mother or child, you will be able to plan accordingly.

Here, you can find a guide to planning your travel costs for a domestic or international adoption.

Birth mothers placing their baby for adoption never have to worry about costs involved with adoption, as it is always free to place your child. Learn more about adoption being cost-free by following this link

Number of Visits

Domestic – Some families travel to meet the birth mother once or even multiple times before the baby is born. In other cases, such as when the baby is already born, these extra visits do not take place.
International – Depending on the country you adopt from, you may have to make more than one trip to your child’s country before the adoption takes place.

Lodgings

Domestic – You will want to find a hotel near the mother’s hospital once you arrive in the area.
International – The country you travel to will affect your options for lodging. Research the costs of different hotels before you leave.

Method of Travel

Domestic – Depending on distance, you may be able to travel by car. If you’re going a longer distance, it’s recommended that you travel by plane to get to the birth mother as quickly as possible.
International – For an international adoption, you will be traveling by plane. You must also consider your methods of in-country transportation during your stay.

Duration of Stay

Domestic – If adopting from out-of-state, you will need to remain in the birth mother’s state for 7-10 days to wait for ICPC clearance.
International – Traveling for an international adoption can last anywhere from one to four weeks.

Costs for the Child

Domestic – Newborns generally require more childcare items than older children. Be sure to pack clothes, formula, a baby carrier, diapers and hygiene products.
International – Items you should bring for your child depend on his or her age. Along with clothes, snacks, and other basic necessities, consider bringing games or toys to keep your child occupied for the trip home.

The Takeaway

Traveling for a domestic adoption is considerably cheaper than for an international adoption, even if you have to go across the country. Still, all forms of adoption can come with considerable travel costs. If you have not yet found a match, the best thing you can do is be as flexible in your budget as you can. Once you have been matched with a child or a birth mother, most of these expenses will become clearer and easier to plan for.

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