When most people think about adoption Domestic Infant Adoption, DIA, is what they have in mind.

Domestic adoption (or private domestic adoption) usually refers to the placement of U.S. born infants for adoption by their original parents, who legally consent to the adoption with an adoptive family of their choosing. Expectant parents considering adoption for their child can either find a family on their own through word of mouth, profile searches, or via the help of an adoption agency or attorney.

When adopting a newborn the baby is generally from 24 hours to a few days old. In most domestic infant adoptions the baby will be discharged directly from the hospital to the adoptive family.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Newborn?

Domestic infant adoption generally ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the needs of the family, whether you work with an adoption agency, and much more. A report from Adoptive Families Magazine found that domestic infant adoption costs families an average of $43,000. Those numbers may seem big and that’s because they are. There are an average of 36 hopeful adoptive parents for every one baby considered for adoption. While there are legitimate costs associated for all adoptions there are some ethical considerations regarding the business end. This is especially true when one considers the supply and demand aspect of newborns for adoption.

How Long Does a Domestic Infant Adoption Take?

Domestic infant adoption takes about a year on average but this isn’t representative of all adoptions. Some families might take a much longer time to complete an adoption while others may go through the process very quickly. The time frame, like the cost, varies with the type of child being adopted. The wait is typically between two and seven years for a healthy infant.