The Real Cost of Adopting a Child in Illinois

Adoption costs can range from nothing to tens of thousands of dollars, and the difference comes down almost entirely to which path you choose. Two families can both bring home a child in the same year and pay wildly different amounts, not because one loved harder or waited longer, but because one adopted through the state and the other went through a private agency. The path determines the price, and understanding the paths is the first step to knowing what your own adoption might cost.

At Let It Be Us, we operate the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois under contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). That role puts us alongside Illinois families every day as they weigh their options, and one of the first questions we hear is about money. This guide is written for those families. It walks through what each adoption path actually costs in Illinois, where the money goes, and the financial help that can offset it. To register for a live webinar with Let It Be Us about foster care and adoption opportunities, please visit www.letitbeus.org/events.

One more thing before the numbers: for Illinois families, adoption through foster care carries no cost to the adoptive family. It is the most financially accessible path, and it is the one LIBU knows best.

Adoption Costs at a Glance: It Depends on the Path

There are four main ways to adopt a child in the United States, and each sits at a different point on the cost spectrum. Adoption through foster care is free or nearly free. Private domestic infant adoption and international adoption are the most expensive. Step-parent and relative adoptions fall somewhere in the middle, closer to the low end.

The table below shows the typical cost ranges reported for each path. AdoptUSKids notes that adopting from foster care costs little to nothing for most families [1]. For Illinois families specifically, the foster care path is free, since DCFS covers the process end to end.

The ranges above come from national legal references. The rest of this guide breaks down what sits inside each number, starting with the path that costs Illinois families nothing.

Adopting Through Illinois Foster Care: The Free Path

This is the free path, and it is the one LIBU knows best. DCFS covers the licensing process, the home study, the placement, and the court finalization. AdoptUSKids, the national resource operated under a federal contract, confirms plainly that adopting from the state foster care system carries no cost to the family [3]. There are also no fees for working with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois at LIBU.

Here is the part families often miss, and it matters: you must first become a licensed and active foster parent before you can be considered to adopt a child through DCFS. This path is not a separate track you sign up for. It grows out of fostering. You get licensed, you welcome a child into your home, you actively support reunification for that child if that is part of the child’s plan, if reunification with their birth family is no longer the plan and circumstances allow, you may be asked to make that child a permanent part of your family. We cover what licensing takes later in this guide.

The financial support does not stop at finalization. Several programs continue afterward for eligible children:

• Adoption assistance. Monthly payments may continue after the adoption is finalized for children who qualify. Eligibility depends on the child’s needs, and payments can continue through the school years and, in some cases, longer. Because these amounts are set by the state and adjust over time, Families Rising maintains current figures for the Illinois program.
• Medical coverage. Children adopted from care can receive medical coverage through Illinois YouthCare, so healthcare does not become an out-of-pocket burden after adoption.
• DCFS Attorney Panel. DCFS maintains a statewide panel of attorneys who specialize in adoption. When a family uses a panel attorney, DCFS pays the attorney directly, so legal representation for the adoption costs the family nothing.
• Post-adoption support. Illinois offers services to adoptive families after finalization, including the Adoption Support and Preservation program, which provides in-home support to help families stay strong.

For families who want to understand this path in full, our Adoption and Foster Care Information page lays out how it works alongside the fostering it grows from.

Private Domestic Infant Adoption: Understanding the Costs

Private domestic infant adoption is the path most people picture when they imagine adoption, and it is also one of the most expensive. Nationally, these adoptions commonly run from $20,000 to $50,000 [2]. The wide range reflects how many moving parts are involved and how much they vary from one adoption to the next.

The total usually breaks down into a handful of categories:

• Home study: roughly $1,000 to $4,000
• Agency or attorney program fees: roughly $10,000 to $25,000
• Birth parent expenses covering living costs plus medical and legal support: roughly $3,000 to $15,000 or more
• Post-placement visits: roughly $1,500 to $2,500
• Court finalization: roughly $500 to $2,500

Illinois adds a rule worth knowing. State law requires court approval before adoptive parents pay more than a limited amount toward a birth parent’s living expenses; the Child Welfare Information Gateway, operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, lays out the statutory framework [4]. Before committing to any one agency, ask for its fee schedule in writing; if an agency will not put its fees in writing, that is a signal worth heeding.

Private agency fees in Illinois vary considerably from one organization to the next, so any range you see online is only a starting point. Request the written fee schedule from any agency you are seriously considering, and read it closely before you sign anything.

International Adoption: What Families Should Know

International adoption generally costs between $25,000 and $60,000, the broadest range of any path, according to the same Justia cost overview. The variation comes from country-specific program fees, immigration and USCIS costs, and travel, which can mean multiple trips depending on the country.

It is worth knowing that international adoption has become far less common than it once was. Many countries have closed their programs or tightened their requirements over the past decade, so the options available to U.S. families shift from year to year. If you are considering this path, verify which country programs are currently open and what each one requires before you budget for it, because both the availability and the cost can change quickly.

Step-Parent and Relative Adoption: Lower-Cost Paths

Step-parent and relative adoptions are the least expensive private paths, typically running from $1,000 to $3,000. Most of that is attorney fees and court filing costs. When a child already lives with the adopting adult and there is no contested custody or complicated legal history, the process is simpler and the price reflects that.

A couple of caveats. Home study requirements for step-parent and relative adoptions often differ from what a foster care adoption requires, and some cases waive parts of the process entirely, so your attorney is the best guide to what your specific situation needs. And if you are a relative caring for a child who is a DCFS ward, know that kinship care in Illinois has its own payment structure, distinct from traditional foster care rates. Do not assume the two are the same; your licensing agency can explain what applies to your circumstances.

Financial Help That Brings Adoption Costs Down

Even on the more expensive paths, few families pay the full sticker price out of pocket. A layer of federal tax relief, charitable grants, employer benefits, and state programs exists specifically to make adoption more reachable. Here is what to look into.

The Federal Adoption Tax Credit

The federal adoption tax credit can offset a significant portion of qualifying adoption expenses. Beginning in tax year 2025, part of the credit is refundable, meaning a portion can come back to you even if it exceeds the tax you owe, while the non-refundable remainder can be carried forward for up to five years. Special rules apply to the adoption of a child with special needs from the foster care system, which can make the credit available even without documented expenses. Because the IRS adjusts the credit amount and the refundable portion annually, check IRS Form 8839 and IRS.gov for the current year’s figures and the exact eligibility rules.

Title IV-E Reimbursement

For eligible children with special needs, Title IV-E of the Social Security Act helps cover non-recurring adoption expenses such as attorney fees and court costs, up to a per-child limit. The benefit is paid through the state with federal reimbursement, and it is separate from the tax credit and from Illinois state assistance. For current amounts, eligibility, and how to apply, contact DCFS or visit Families Rising [5].

Illinois Adoption Assistance and Support Programs

For children adopted through the state foster care system, ongoing support can continue well past finalization:

• Monthly adoption assistance for eligible children, with amounts and eligibility maintained by the state.
• Medical coverage through Illinois YouthCare.
• Post-secondary education support to help eligible young people adopted from care pursue college or vocational training.

Families Rising keeps current details on all of these state programs.

Grants and Employer Benefits

Charitable foundations offer adoption grants that do not need to be repaid. The Gift of Adoption Fund, for example, awards grants directly to families to help complete an adoption, and many faith-based and community organizations run their own grant programs. Other national organizations, such as the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, focus on funding adoption programs and connecting families to resources rather than issuing grants to individuals, so it is worth understanding what each one actually provides. Separately, a growing number of employers offer adoption assistance as a benefit, sometimes reimbursing expenses or offering paid leave. Check with your human resources department before assuming this is not available to you.

What It Really Takes to Adopt Through Foster Care in Illinois

Cost is only half the picture. If the foster care path is the one you are drawn to, it helps to understand what the process actually asks of you, because free still takes time and commitment.

The most important thing to know is the one we mentioned earlier: you must become a licensed and active foster parent before you can be considered to adopt through DCFS. The child’s goal is always to return home, and foster parents support that goal by helping maintain visits with family members, including siblings. Only if reunification is no longer possible and circumstances allow might you be asked to become a child’s permanent family. Adoption grows out of fostering; it is not a shortcut around it.

Getting licensed involves a few clear steps:

1. Complete PRIDE training, 30+ hours of preparation that can be completed online through a webinar setting or a self-paced format.
2. Pass background checks, including criminal history and fingerprinting for all adults in the household.
3. Complete a Foster Home Assessment, also called a Licensing Assessment or home study, which DCFS covers for the foster care path.
4. Host home visits so a licensing worker can confirm your home meets Illinois safety standards.

The licensing process typically takes up to six months to complete. After that, matching with a child begins, and the timeline from there varies with each family and each child’s needs.

This is where Let It Be Us comes in. We are a recruitment and pre-licensing support agency and a partner with DCFS through the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois. We do not conduct licensing ourselves, but we walk alongside families through the process and connect licensed foster parents with children waiting through the Heart Gallery of Illinois. Our Foster Care Licensing Support Program is built to help families get through licensing with support at every step.

If this path speaks to you, take the first step. Complete the form to begin your journey at letitbeus.org/become-a-foster-parent-form, or attend a live webinar to learn more at www.letitbeus.org/events.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption Costs in Illinois

Is adoption through foster care really free in Illinois?

Yes. DCFS covers the costs for families who adopt through the state foster care system. That includes licensing and the home study, along with placement and the final court approval. There are also no fees for working with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois at LIBU, and AdoptUSKids confirms that this path carries no cost to the family [3].

Do I need to be a foster parent before I can adopt through DCFS?

Yes. You must be a licensed and active foster parent before you can be considered to adopt a child through DCFS. This path grows out of fostering rather than running parallel to it. You get licensed, welcome a child, actively support reunification when that is part of the child’s plan, and if reunification is no longer the plan and circumstances allow, you may be asked to make that child a permanent part of your family.

What financial assistance is available after adoption?

For children adopted through Illinois foster care, support can include monthly adoption assistance, medical coverage through Illinois YouthCare, and post-secondary education support for eligible young people. Eligibility depends on the child. Families Rising maintains current details on the Illinois programs [5].

Can I get help paying for a private adoption?

Yes. The federal adoption tax credit can offset qualifying expenses; part of it is refundable for tax year 2025 and later, and any non-refundable remainder can be carried forward for up to five years. Charitable grants, such as those from the Gift of Adoption Fund, can help complete an adoption, and many employers offer adoption assistance benefits. Check IRS Form 8839 for current tax credit details.

How long does the process take?

Foster care licensing in Illinois typically takes up to six months. After licensing, matching with a child and moving toward adoption varies from family to family and depends on the child’s circumstances. You can find more answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Where This Leaves You

The honest answer to how much it costs to adopt a child is that it depends entirely on the path. Private and international adoption can run into the tens of thousands, offset in part by the federal tax credit, charitable grants, and employer benefits. But for Illinois families, the foster care path is free, DCFS covers the process from licensing through finalization, and ongoing support continues for the children who need it.

If that path is calling to you, Let It Be Us is here to help you navigate it. Your foster care and adoption journey can start today. Complete the form to begin at letitbeus.org/become-a-foster-parent-form, or explore an upcoming information session at www.letitbeus.org/events.

References

[1] AdoptUSKids. "What is the cost of adoption from foster care?" AdoptUSKids. https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/overview/what-does-it-cost

[2] Justia. "Cost of Adoption." Justia Family Law. https://www.justia.com/family/adoptions/cost/

[3] AdoptUSKids. "Illinois foster care and adoption guidelines." AdoptUSKids. https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/illinois

[4] Child Welfare Information Gateway. "Regulation of Private Domestic Adoption Expenses – Illinois." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/regulation-private-domestic-adoption-expenses-illinois/

[5] Families Rising. "Illinois State Adoption Assistance Program." Families Rising, 2026. https://wearefamiliesrising.org/adoption-assistance/illinois-adoption-assistance-program/

Continue Reading:

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