How much does it cost to adopt from foster care?
Differs by state or province
Cost is the second most common reason people do not enquire.
For adoption from foster care specifically, the answer is unusually
encouraging, and it is very different from private or infant
adoption.
The United States
AdoptUSKids states that most adoptions from US foster care
are free, and that the minimal costs which do arise are often
reimbursable. Public agency services are usually free or very low
cost. Private agencies typically charge fees upfront, which is the
main reason quoted costs differ so wildly between routes.
Federal regulation provides reimbursement of
up to $2,000 per adoptive placement for
non-recurring expenses: adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees,
the adoption study including health and psychological examination,
supervision of the placement, transportation, and reasonable
lodging and food. States may set a lower maximum, so check
yours.
Canada
Adoption from public care is typically low or no cost, but
we can only verify that explicitly for two provinces, so we are not
going to claim it nationally.
- Ontario states there is no cost to
prospective adoptive parents in a public adoption. - Alberta states there are no costs to apply,
be approved, or be placed with a child in permanent government
care.
Elsewhere, ask. And note that incidental costs, such as
documents, medicals and police checks, are rarely addressed on these
pages at all.
What we deliberately have not published
Getting the answer for your area
Eligibility, timelines and money are set locally, and
they are finally confirmed by the licensed agency for your state or
province. We can tell you what those rules currently say where you
live, what they will mean in practice for your household, and what
to have ready before you speak to anyone.
Talk to us first. Tell us which state or province you
are in and what you are trying to decide, and we will explain what applies
where you live, what the next step is, and what to expect from it. There is
no cost and no obligation. Contact Foster Care
Adoption Home, or start your application
when you are ready.
Everything on this page is checked against the official source for each
jurisdiction, and those sources are listed below so you can read the wording
for yourself. We would rather you have both: our explanation of what it
means, and the original to confirm it against.
United States. AdoptUSKids publishes a page for every
state, plus DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Cherokee
Nation, naming the responsible agency in each.
Read the state pages.
Canada. There is no national system, so the rules are
published province by province:
- Ontario, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Local body: a children’s aid society.
- British Columbia, Adopt BC Kids, MCFD.
- Alberta, Children and Family Services.
- Quebec, Director of Youth Protection, via the Banque mixte programme.
- Manitoba, Department of Families.
- Saskatchewan, Ministry of Social Services.
- Nova Scotia, Department of Community Services.
If your province is not listed here we have not finished verifying it, and
we would rather say so than guess. Ask us and we will find the current
answer for you. The Adoption Council of Canada
is the national umbrella body, though it is not a regulator.
Sources
- AdoptUSKids, frequently asked questions
- AdoptUSKids, adoption from foster care
- AdoptUSKids, getting started
- 45 CFR 1356.41, nonrecurring adoption expenses
- Ontario, public adoption
- Alberta, adopt a child in government care
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on 20 August 2026. Rules change. If you are making a decision, confirm the detail with the agency responsible for your area.
