It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money to adopt a child. Money is a tricky topic among adoptive families. Yet, it is a reality for all of us. It isn’t “better” if your child’s adoption costs a lot; it isn’t “better” if your child’s adoption was less expensive.

However, I often run across families who feel they can not afford to adopt. These families should know that it doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. There are some methods of adoption that are less expensive. Don’t let the financial aspect alone deter you from adopting a child.

Going through the foster care system into a fost/adopt program might be an option, particularly for families seeking babies or very young children. There should be no cost to your family in these programs. (I did spend $25 each on two separate adoptions for court filing fees. Other costs were covered by the state.)

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (known by different names in different states) has special needs children available for adoption and there is no cost associated. Special needs within the DDD system generally refers to physical special needs, but also includes mental retardation.

There are thousands of older children in the United States waiting to be adopted. “Older children”, by definition in state adoptions, is generally age 6 and older. Many sibling groups of all ages are included here as well. Aside from the expense of a personal homestudy, there are very few other costs to adopt this way.

If you have experience or ability to parent children with adjustment difficulties or mental illness, consider whether adopting from a disruption situation might be something you can do. While this type of adoption is not expensive, understands that a child usually disrupts from a family because of some pretty serious issues.

Another recommendation is to be sure that all of your friends and family know of your wishes to adopt. Every so often, a child just right seems to “fall from the sky” and things fall into place. I wouldn’t sit around waiting on this one, but it certainly couldn’t hurt to spread the word!