As a private, non-profit 501(c) 3 Child Placement Agency, we strive to keep costs as low as possible. Financial aid may be available for your child’s adoption. To learn more about funding your adoption visit Financial Assistance for information and resources.
This page includes an overview of the possible cost of adoption. A Prospective Adoptive Family will be charged the actual adoption fees in effect at the time service is being rendered for any service that has not been prepaid; those amounts may vary from the amounts stated.
To learn more about the Fee Schedule (below), please view the video from Steffany Aye:
A Home Study is an educational tool used by Adoption & Beyond, Inc. (Agency) to prepare a Hopeful Adoptive Parent(s) (AP) to adopt a child. It is also an assessment process to determine whether AP is suitable to adopt and has the ability to care for a child in a safe, nurturing and healthy environment. Post-Placement/Post-Adoption Visits occur to ensure healthy adjustments for everyone.
Adoption & Beyond Inc. is available to perform domestic, international, private, foster care, and embryo adoptive home study assessments. An approved home study is required in order to adopt a child.
Home Study Fee
(96.40 (b)(1))
Free
- Screening, reviewing and processing the application
- Establishing AP’s file
- Addressing AP’s questions about the adoption and home study process
- Access to our easy to use Home Study Portal
- Personal guidance and support to AP with home study process
$500
Upon submission of Online Application
(Application fee is waived for returning clients)
A home study is an educational tool to prepare AP to adopt a child and the appropriateness of the AP for adoptive placement. Home study approval is valid for twelve months.
Home study fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:Â
- Maintenance of fileÂ
- Office visits and one home visitÂ
- Review and compiling of home study material; writing reportÂ
- Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)
- Coordinating/communicating between the attorney and court
Home Study paperwork
It is important that the courts have the latest information about AP, so it is required to document Any changes during the twelve (12) month home study approval period. Some changes may require further interviews and home visit (e.g., changes in physical, emotional or mental health, changes in marital (or significant other) relationships, arrest, allegations of child abuse, loss or new employment, significant change in finances, move to a new home, a new individual or extended guest joining AP’s household, change of child approval, responding to an Immigrations Request for Evidence (RFE), Agency’s concern about the AP’s capacity to continue in adoption process, failure of AP to disclose critical information during the home study process, etc.).
Note: An addendum is simply documenting a change to your current home study after it has been approved, finalized and signed; it does not extend the expiration date.
text change only
$400/
if home visit needed
Addendum paperwork
An annual updated home study is needed if: AP has not received placement of a child within twelve months, the states of Kansas and Missouri require an update to extend the approval for a current home study for an additional twelve months; or if AP is switching from a domestic to an international adoption (or vice versa);
A home study update includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:
- Maintenance of file
- One home visitÂ
- Review and compiling of updated home study material and writing reportÂ
- Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)
Updated Paperwork
A full updated home study is needed if: AP is pursuing the adoption process for another child; or if Agency is updating another agency’s home study.
Full updated home study fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:
- Re-establishing file
- Review of previous Home Study completed
- Access to our easy-to-use Home Study Portal
- Personal guidance and support to AP with home study process
- One home visitÂ
- Review and compiling of updated home study material and writing reportÂ
- Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)
Once AP adopts a child, the court or country of adoption requires post-placement/post-adoption visitsÂ
Post-placement/post-adoption report fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:
- One home visit
- Reviewing, preparing and writing report
- Communication during supervision period
- Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)
$400/
per report
The number and timing of post-placement/post-adoption reports is determined by state, agency and/or country where the adoptive placement occurs (3 to 6 reports are usually required.)
International Adoptions –Â Pre-payment of all reports due upon submission of Home Study paperwork
Domestic Adoptions –Â Pre-payment of all reports due Prior to placement or ICPC supervision letter being issued
Miscellaneous Adoption Expenses
(96.40 (b)(2))
Expedited Services
Expedited processing of Home Study or Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reports for urgent adoption situations
- Expedited Processing of Home Study or Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reports for urgent adoption situations. Expediting is necessary only when a placement or report is due in less than eight (8) weeks. Although Agency will make all reasonable efforts to complete the service in the required time, there can be no assurance the shortened time frame can be met. This service is available on a case-by-case basis.
$600
Upon submission of all Home Study or Post-Placement/Post-Adoption paperwork
Travel up to 60 miles Round Trip (RT) is included in the fees for home study and post-placement/post-adoption. A travel fee is charged for reimbursement to case workers for services provided further than 60 miles (RT) from Agency’s office or closest regional case worker. If an overnight stay is required, there will be an additional Hotel/Meal expense fee of $200 to cover the cost.
$2/
per mile
Upon submission of all Home Study or Post-Placement/ Post-Adoption paperwork
Foster Care Case Management Fee
If AP is searching for children available for adoption on public foster care photo listing sites, Agency will advocate for AP throughout the public searching and matching process. Note: Family must have completed home study with Agency and taken state foster care training prior to this service being available to AP.
$600
Upon submission of all Home Study paperwork
If AP has an adoption situation that falls outside of the fee schedule, they can hire Adoption & Beyond for an hourly rate of service.
$200/
per hour
Retainer fee due prior to work being initiated
Adoption Court Hearing(s)
Agency’s attendance at court hearing(s) with AP.Â
Court hearing fee includes one or more of the following services provided by the Agency:
- Present at the court hearing via teleconference or in person
- Reviewing post-placement reports from out-of-state agencyÂ
- Writing court report (if applicable)
- Coordination with all adoption professionalsÂ
- Preparing court documents needed from agency
$400/
each hearing
(generally MO requires two (2) and KS requires one (1))
Third-Party Expenses (Estimated variable expenses that are not usually paid to Adoption & Beyond) (96.40(c)(1))
State and Federal Criminal Background Checks/Finger Printing
$45 – $57/
each
(varies
by state)
State Child Abuse Checks
$10 – $13/
each
(varies by number
of states previously lived)
National Sex Offender Checks
$7/
each
Online Adoption Education Courses
You are required to complete a number of on-line adoption education courses together (approx. $100-$286). The number of courses varies depending on type of adoption AP is pursuing (e.g., Domestic, International, Special Needs, Trans-racial, etc.). Note: One course required for domestic adoption is sponsored by Adoption & Beyond.
$19 – $120/
per course
When registering for online Adoption Education courses
Documents
(e.g., copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decree)
$15/
each
Employment Verifications
If your employer contracts with a third-party for employment verification to be completed
$50 – $100/
each
(varies by third-party)
Upon submission of Employment Verification
Health Exam
If you’d like more information on the other fee schedules, please click below to go back to the selection page.
Interested in learning more about The Ultimate Guide to Adopting a Child? Check out our entire guide here.