Adoption Costs

Counseling and placement services provided by an adoption agency affiliated with the youth welfare offices are free of charge for the adoptive parents. The professionals assess the eligibility requirements and guide the adoptive parents through the entire adoption process. The adoptive parents are responsible for paying the notary fees for the adoption application and the notarization, as well as the court fees charged by the family court. In some cases, fees for obtaining a health certificate or a police clearance certificate may also apply.

When counseling and placement are provided by a privately operated adoption agency, the costs are based on the underlying contract. Many private agencies offer their services free of charge. However, there are also agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia that charge varying fees for domestic adoptions.

Mothers or parents who wish to place their child for adoption are only required to pay the notary fees for the declaration of consent. These fees amount to approximately 30 euros.

The costs of stepchild adoption are similarly low to those of a domestic adoption. You should expect to pay the usual notary fees, court fees, and fees for issuing documents such as a health certificate and a police clearance certificate.

The costs of an international adoption are significantly higher than those of a domestic adoption. They depend primarily on the adoptive child’s country of origin. Parents should expect the following costs:

• Fees of 1,200 euros apply for placement through a central adoption agency of the State Youth Welfare Office.
• Fees of 1,300 euros apply for the assessment of suitability for adoption as defined by the Adoption Placement Act. These costs must be paid to the local adoption placement agency of the Youth Welfare Office. These amounts are fixed and binding.
• The recognized German international adoption agency establishes contact with an international adoption agency in the child’s country of origin. You must also budget for these costs. The fees generally consist of a general flat rate and a country-specific flat rate.
• Additional costs are incurred for the required paperwork, certificates, and documents, as well as for their translation. These include medical examinations, a police clearance certificate, etc.
• Notary and court fees are also added.
• In addition, you must cover the costs of flights and accommodations for trips to the adoptive child’s country of origin.

All in all, experience shows that the costs of an international adoption range from 15,000 to 30,000 euros.