China adoption costs: fees for processing paperwork

Last updated July 1, 2006

China adoption costs can be expensive. Most of the money allotted for Chinese adoptions goes toward paying fees to process paperwork required by both US and China agencies.

International adoption agency fees vary. However, the major components of China adoption costs are the same.

For example, all adoptions require a home study. The cost for a home study is around $1000 or more. Often your agency can do your home study if you live in the state where your agency is located.

If your agency is not in your state of residence, China prefers the home study to be completed by a social worker who is approved by your agency. Check with your agency for an approved list of social workers in your state of residence.

China adoption costs also include some set fees for both the US government paperwork as well as China’s paperwork.

• I-600 or I-600A: $545 paid to the USCIS. A $70 per person fee for fingerprints (or biometrics) may also be required.

• Immigrant visa: $380 (includes application fee, issuance fee and new security enhancement surcharge). This fee is given to the US Consulate by your adoption facilitator or agency representative. You will receive receipts for your records.

• Fees for medical examinations for your child in China, vaccinations received at the time of the medical exam, authenticating documents by a consular office of the US Embassy or Consulate and other services can vary. We suggest checking with your agency for the lastest updates on these and all other fees.

• Authentication/legalization of documents by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the US: $10 per document

• China Center for Adoption Affairs’ initial fee: $365 plus $200 for translation of documents

• “Issuance of the registration of the adoption by the Civil Affairs Bureau": $30

• “Issuance of the Chinese notarized certificate approving the adoption”: varies according to each case. Other fees may apply for such things as death certificates and other investigative work done by the Notarial Office to verify the child is an orphan

• Chinese passport: Approximately $25 for 15-working-day time period.

• Orphanage donation (can be combined with fees charged for raising and taking care of the child before adoption): $3000 to $5000

• Extra charges for transporting and expediting documents: up to $500

Sources:

U.S. Department of State
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Please see the U.S. Department of States’ website U.S. Department of State's website for a detailed list of all the documents/paperwork required by both the US and China for completion of a China adoption.

Many families gather and complete most of the paperwork themselves. They also get the necessary forms certified/authenticated/notarized themselves. Their hard work and diligence can decrease their China adoption costs.

If you choose to complete the paperwork yourself, you may be able to get some of your certificates and records on line through services such as VitalChek. Or, you can hire a professional dossier service to gather all of your important information.

Since our paperwork was complicated by frequent moves, we decided to pay to have our dossier put together by a professional. Personally, I thought it was the best money we have ever spent. We got a lot of value for our money not to mention fewer headaches associated with pounding the paper trail.

Fortunately, we located a paralegal close to our home who had adopted two children from China. She had her own business preparing dossiers for international adoption. She was worth every cent we paid her.

See if your agency can recommend a dossier service. You can also locate a service on the web.

China adoption costs can be discouraging. However, with planning, your red thread will be woven into your family’s fabric sooner than you think.

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