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What budget should you plan for an international adoption?
International adoption: a high cost
It is quite normal to wonder about the costs generated by an international adoption, especially since it generally has a overall high cost. On average, it is necessary to count between € 10 and € 000. Costs which vary according to the procedures and the costs, and which evolve regularly. Among the factors that influence the cost of an adoption abroad, we can mention in a non-exhaustive way:
- The costs of putting together the adoption file (translation costs, legalization of documents);
- Travel and subsistence expenses in the country of origin (as well as the return to France with the child);
- Administration and coordination costs of the approved organization (OAA);
- Legal (notaries, lawyers), procedural and translation costs;
- Medical costs;
- The donation to the orphanage or the contribution requested by the Authorities of the country of origin;
- Child’s passport and visa fees
In addition, some countries may also require you to finance the care of the child. “This is the case in countries where there is no protection system for neglected children,” explains Sophie Dazord of the Childhood and Adoption Families Federation (EFA). You will then have to contribute to the payment of the costs relating to childbirth, the maintenance of the child since birth and the medical examinations carried out.
If you go through an OAA, the budget is defined in advance
“If you work with a serious OAA, he will oversee the procedures, whatever the country for which he is working and will inform you about the costs”, emphasizes Sophie Dazord. No bad surprises as well, you can even get a first idea by consulting the website of the International adoption service (SAI). Choose a country file, then click on one of the French organizations authorized and authorized for adoption (OAA) in the same country. The cost of adoption procedures is clearly detailed. For example: to adopt in Brazil, the total amount payable by the adopter is € 5. It is specified that: “This package does not include the travel costs of the child and his parents, nor the costs of stay on site. However, it is still recommended to ask for confirmation during the first interview with the chosen organization.
If you decide to take an individual approach
If you want to adopt without the help of an organization, you are in full control of your budget. All costs are your responsibility: administrative, legal, accommodation costs, etc. It’s up to you to negotiate these expenses as well as possible. In any case, be vigilant and beware of intermediaries. Some, unscrupulous, might try to defraud you. As a reminder: the individual procedure is only possible in countries which have not ratified the Hague Convention. This is the case of Colombia, Madagasacar, Argentina, Cameroon, Laos … Each very few adoptions take place there.
International adoption: financial aid?
There is no financial aid for adoption. All costs are the responsibility of the adopters. However, there are general tips that may give you a zero rate loan. Likewise, mutuals sometimes offer interesting offers. It is only after the child is there that you can receive social benefits. Adoption gives rise to the right, like the birth of a child, to the childcare allowance (PAJE). It includes in particular a adoption bonus.