The adoption service fees are to reimburse Buckner for expenses related to the counseling, personal care, medical and other services to the birth parents, as well as a portion of legal and other expenses involved in the placement process of the child. Fees also cover support groups for both birth parents and adoptive parents and include home study services, education and supervision to the adoptive parents.
• The fee for the agency's infant adoption services is 25 percent of an applicant's adjusted gross income, (AGI, form 1040) with a maximum fee of $25,000 and a minimum fee of $14,000.
• In the case of children with special medical needs, a child over the age of three, or a sibling group, the fee is 15 percent of applicant’s adjusted gross income, with a maximum fee of $12,000 and a minimum fee of $7,000.
• The total fee is determined at the time the application is submitted. The fee is payable in increments as the adoption process goes forward. Once any portion of the fee is paid, it is NONREFUNDABLE, as the service for that portion of the fee has been provided.
| Initial Home Study & Placement Fee for Infant Adoption |
| Prior to Workshop |
$ 50.00 |
| Submitted with application |
$ 250.00 |
| Prior to office interview |
$ 500.00 |
| Prior to educational seminar |
$ 300.00 |
| Prior to home visit |
$ 500.00 |
| After completion of study |
$ 2000.00 |
| Placement of the child |
Balance of Fee |
Buckner assumes all pregnancy-related expenses for the birthmother. The agency does not pass through individual living and medical expenses to prospective adoptive parents.
If a couple is matched with birth parents who do not ultimately choose to make an adoption plan, Buckner continues to work with the prospective adoptive parents towards another plan, with no additional fee to the adoptive parents.
In addition to the agency fee, the applicants will need to pay their own travel expenses, attorney’s fees, and court costs for finalization of the adoption. These finalization costs are generally around $1,300.00.
Fees will be reviewed annually and are subject to change.
For the most accurate information, and for tips and resources that can help pay for your adoption, please call us at 1-866-236-7823.
