Some agencies use a sliding scale which varies with adoptive parents' income levels, usually with a set minimum and maximum fee. Some agencies charge a lower rate for handling special needs adoptions. Public agencies generally do not charge fees for placing children in adoptive homes. Because each situation is unique, fees for independent adoptions vary widely. Prospective parents must generally cover the costs of finding a birthmother, all costs related to the pregnancy and birth, and the costs involved in the legal adoption process.
Some states allow the birthmother's living expenses during the pregnancy to be covered as well.
It is illegal in all states to buy or sell a baby. If you pursue an independent adoption, you must adhere to these laws when you give any money to the birthmother. And agencies are regulated to make sure that they charge adoptive parents only for the costs that the state allows. Most states allow the adoptive parents to pay the birthmother's medical expenses, counseling costs and attorney's fees. Some states allow payments to cover the birth mother's living expenses such as food, housing and transportation during pregnancy.