International adoption doesn't come cheap.

Certainly, beyond the excitement of the prospect of adopting your child, weighing largely on your mind is the cost of the adoption. I know there are a few of you out there that don't struggle financially with your adoptions, and that is terrific! But for the rest of us, adoption costs are an important factor in our adoptions.

Cost plays an important role in adoption agency selection. Knowing this, parents do compare costs and services among various international adoption agencies. Unfortunately, the costs often quoted by agencies are a far cry from the reality of the final adoption tab.

Normally, an agency will list specific costs such as agency fees, country fees, and mandatory donations. Many international adoption agencies now charge in the neighborhood of $4000 for agency fees alone. Many also charge fees for dossier preparation, translation, and administrative fees. Every agency now charges an application fee as well. Normally, there is also a "country fee" or "program fee." This fee depends on the country you are adopting from, and with Kazakhstan, also the region you are adopting from. Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan, this "country fee" also sometimes includes "fees" for various officials. These fees should be stated up front.

So initially, adoption may appear to be a somewhat affordable process. But usually in the fine print is a statement that these fees don't include things like USCIS, homestudy, travel, visa, etc. Not to mention the million other items you will find you need to spend money on. Here is my list with some very loose estimates on these costs that are often omitted. Feel free to chime in with your own that I may have forgot. For what it is worth, our Kazakhstan adoption ended up being around $28,000 not counting medical, and anything related to preparing for travel, or orphanage/caregiver gifts.

1. Dossier costs-example, Sec. of State (around $10 per document), Marriage/Birth Certificates (avg. $10 each), notary fees (if applicable), Social Services background check ($10?), doctor visit for medical report (varies).

2. Homestudy-$750-1500

3. USCIS costs-$545 plus $70 for each person to be fingerprinted.

4. Passports ($65 each)

5. Kazakhstan Visas ($180 each)

6. U.S. Visa (for child) $435

7. Gifts ($10-20 per major service provider, $5-10 per provider otherwise)

8. Orphange donation (varies)

9. Travel-depends on time of year, could be $4000 for two people, plus hotel, food, etc. not included in country fee.

10. Mad Money (travel money)

11. Travel supplies-i.e., medications, travel wallets