When families begin exploring adoption in Texas, understanding the associated costs is essential for proper planning. At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, we believe in providing clear information about adoption expenses to help you prepare for this life-changing journey.
The cost to adopt a child in Texas varies significantly depending on which path you choose. This guide breaks down the expenses for different types of adoption to help you make informed decisions about growing your family.
Foster Care Adoption: $0-$2,500
Adopting from the Texas foster care system is the most affordable option available. The state covers most expenses, keeping out-of-pocket costs minimal for adoptive families:
- Court filing fees: $300-$500
- Minimal legal expenses (often subsidized)
The home study and post-placement supervision are generally covered by the state. Additionally, children adopted from foster care often qualify for monthly subsidies until age 18, Medicaid coverage, and college tuition waivers at Texas state universities.
Our CPS defense attorneys specialize in guiding families through the foster care adoption process, helping navigate the requirements while keeping costs at a minimum.
Stepparent and Relative Adoptions: $1,500-$5,000
When adopting a stepchild or relative, the process is typically more straightforward and less expensive than other adoption types:
- Legal representation: $1,500-$4,000
- Court filing fees: $300-$500
The home study requirement is often simplified or waived in these cases. These adoptions usually proceed smoothly when the biological parent consents. Without consent, additional legal proceedings for termination of parental rights may increase costs.
Private Domestic Adoption: $25,000-$50,000
Private adoptions through agencies represent the most common route for families seeking to adopt infants in Texas. The total typically ranges from $25,000-$50,000:
- Agency and program fees: $15,000-$25,000
- Home study and preparation: $1,500-$3,000
- Legal representation: $3,000-$7,000
- Birth mother expenses: $5,000-$15,000
- Post-placement supervision: $1,500-$3,000
These adoptions offer the opportunity to adopt newborns or young infants. Our Houston family law attorneys work closely with reputable agencies to ensure all legal procedures are properly executed throughout the process.
Independent Adoptions: $15,000-$40,000
Independent adoptions, facilitated directly through attorneys rather than agencies, typically cost between $15,000-$40,000:
- Legal representation: $5,000-$15,000
- Home study services: $1,500-$3,000
- Birth mother expenses: $5,000-$15,000
- Advertising/outreach: $2,000-$10,000
- Post-placement supervision: $1,500-$3,000
While potentially less expensive than agency adoptions, independent adoptions require more active participation from adoptive parents in finding potential birth mother connections.
International Adoption: $35,000-$60,000+
International adoptions involve the highest costs, typically ranging from $35,000-$60,000 or more:
- Agency fees: $15,000-$25,000
- Documentation and immigration processing: $5,000-$10,000
- International travel: $5,000-$15,000
- In-country expenses: $5,000-$15,000
- Post-placement supervision: $1,500-$3,000
- Re-adoption in Texas: $1,000-$2,000
These adoptions require compliance with both U.S. immigration laws and the legal requirements of the child’s country of origin.
Financial Resources to Help Cover Adoption Costs
Several resources can help offset adoption expenses:
Federal Adoption Tax Credit
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit provides significant tax relief for qualifying families. For 2025, the credit amount is approximately $16,180 per child. This credit can substantially reduce the overall cost of adoption for many families.
Employer Benefits
Many Texas employers offer adoption benefits, including financial reimbursement typically ranging from $5,000-$15,000, paid parental leave, and flexible scheduling during the adoption process.
Adoption Grants and Loans
Numerous organizations provide financial assistance through grants and low-interest loans for adoptive families:
- Gift of Adoption Fund
- Help Us Adopt
- Show Hope
- National Adoption Foundation
- Various faith-based organizations
These resources can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Our firm connects clients with appropriate grant organizations based on their specific circumstances.
Texas-Specific Assistance
Texas offers several programs designed to support adoptive families, particularly those adopting from foster care:
- Monthly adoption subsidies
- Medicaid coverage
- Post-adoption support services
- College tuition waivers at state institutions
The Value of Professional Legal Guidance
While considering costs, remember that proper legal representation is essential for a successful adoption. At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, we provide comprehensive support throughout your adoption journey with clear fee structures and flexible payment arrangements.
Our family law blog offers additional insights about adoption in Texas, and our educational resources provide valuable information to help you navigate the process.
Making Your Adoption Dream a Reality
While the financial investment in adoption can be substantial, proper planning and utilization of available resources can make this path to parenthood accessible for many Texas families.
For personalized information regarding adoption costs specific to your situation, contact us today for a consultation. Our experienced adoption attorneys will help you navigate both the financial and legal complexities of adoption in Texas, making your path to parenthood as smooth as possible.
Bryan Fagan is a Texas family law attorney with a heart for adoption—inspired not just by his legal career, but by his own family story. Growing up in Atascocita with two adopted brothers, Bryan learned early the profound meaning of chosen family. His passion for justice was sparked by John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief, and he became the first lawyer in his family, balancing night classes at South Texas College of Law while caring for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s.
Today, Bryan brings that same dedication to his practice, guiding families through adoptions, custody disputes, divorces, and complex marital agreements. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, he combines elite legal expertise with genuine empathy—drawing from his roles as a husband, father of three, and advocate for families facing false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is actively involved in the Houston Bar Association’s Family Law Sector and statewide family law organizations. Whether finalizing an adoption or protecting parental rights, he believes the law should reflect the deepest values of home, commitment, and love.