Expanding your family is an amazing decision. The choice, however, usually comes with a financial commitment. Deciding between the two usually involves the adoption vs. surrogacy cost. Many people wonder is adoption or surrogacy cheaper? While one has a much higher price tag, this is due to the fact that each has a very different process. No matter what you choose, you will be doing something amazing: growing your loving family.

If you have questions about the processes and which is a better fit for you, contact a surrogacy professional today. They will be able to answer any questions you have and help you figure out the best family-building option for you.

Adoption Costs

The cost of adoption with an agency is on average around $20,000 to $50,000. When you work with an agency, you can expect them to complete the entire adoption from beginning to end. You will get to work with an adoption professional who will take the time to understand your wants and needs. There are a few other costs of adoption vs surrogacy that differ the two processes. Those costs include:

• Agency fees – Working with a full-service agency means they will do just about everything for you. This includes matching services, education opportunities, counseling and many more benefits. While agencies are used for surrogacy as well, there is still a difference in the overall agency cost of adoption vs. surrogacy.
• Risk-Sharing Program – Sometimes adoption disruptions happen. Through a risk-sharing program you will be directly issued a refund on the money you have spent on the adoption opportunity if it does not go through.
• National scope – When you work with a national adoption agency, it means you have the opportunity to be matched to birth families from all over the country. This allows you to find your future child in a shorter amount of time.

If you have questions about adoption costs, contact our sister program American Adoptions to speak with an adoption specialist.

Surrogacy Costs

It’s no secret that surrogacy has a large financial commitment. The average cost of surrogacy is $100,000 to $250,000. It’s clear the average cost of surrogacy vs adoption is very different. These costs vary on based on where you live, where your surrogate lives and various other factors. Basic fees required for surrogacy include:

• Agency fees – Working with an agency means you have the peace of mind knowing you’re being taken care of throughout the process. 
• Legal fees – For anyone going through the surrogacy process, you will need to obtain a surrogacy lawyer. They will help create a surrogacy contract and file any parentage orders that may be needed.
• Medical fees – The medical fees associated with surrogacy include IVF, embryo transfers, doctor visits, hospital bills and any medication needed for the surrogate through the process.
• Surrogate compensation – It’s important to offer surrogates a quality compensation package. While this is usually offered through the surrogacy agency, the parents will need to pay for it. You will work with your surrogacy professional to create a plan that includes how much compensation you are comfortable with. This is also a major difference between the adoption vs. surrogacy cost.

Is Adoption or Surrogacy Cheaper?

It’s true that adoption is cheaper than surrogacy. However, the processes are very different. Through adoption you have little control over the process. You may be waiting months or even years to have a birth mother choose you and go through with the adoption. Through surrogacy you are able to take charge from the beginning, with the entire processing often lasting between 15-18 months. You are able to control the process, creating a surrogacy contract so you have certainty that you will have your child in your arms by the end of the surrogacy journey.

Determine the Best Family-Building Option for You

Deciding which path to take towards parenthood is an important decision and will take time and consideration. If determining adoption vs surrogacy cost is a significant factor in your decision, contact a surrogacy professional today to learn more about your family-building options.