An Overview of Adoption Fees, Rights, and Refunds

Other Expenses to Anticipate

• You will have some additional expenses that are paid to various service providers. Including:

• Obtaining copies of legal documents

• INS approval and finger printing

• Visa filing fee for Parents / Passport

• Medical exams

• Travel expenses

• Phone calls to CHI

• Postage

• Legalizing the adoption in the U.S. (if required)

Information Materials  $0
When Children's Hope International receives your request, you will be sent an application along with the materials. You may apply to adopt in one of the several programs.

Application Fee  $100
The nonrefundable application fee must accompany your application form. This fee covers the cost of reviewing your application and determining how CHI should proceed with your adoption process. You would send this amount with your application. We will carefully review your application and determine how to proceed with your adoption. If you qualify for one of CHI’s adoption programs, you will be sent an approval letter, an Adoption Agreement, and an INS application. If you live in a state where CHI has an office, you will be sent information about how to do your homestudy. CHI then starts your file and begins the formal documentation of your adoption process.

Agreement Fee  $900
You will return the Adoption Agreement and your check for $900 to indicate your acceptance of arrangements and your desire to proceed with the adoption process. You will then be sent an Adoption Guide for the country you have chosen and you may then apply online to www.CHIfamily.net to have full access to all the adoption processing information online and e-groups online. You will also be assigned your personal consultant to assist you for the duration of your adoption. They will work with you as you collect and document the paperwork needed. This fee is refundable within two months from date application was approved.

Dossier Fee
This covers all assistance and counseling to this point in preparing your dossier, as well as preparing it into a presentation packet and expressing it to our representative abroad. It also covers any certifications that CHI must do in-country in preparation for presentation to the adoption officials. It includes facilitating your adoption with agency and government officials in the United States and abroad, coordinating services with your local social worker, administrative/office expenses and telephone expenses. This will be paid to CHI when you send your completed dossier to CHI. This fee is nonrefundable if the family withdraws after sending their dossier to CHI. (*)

*Vietnam program requires only copies of part of the dossier and the INS approval.

International Program Fee
There are costs involved in facilitating an adoption in-country. Children’s Hope International maintains representatives and/or offices in most countries where we work. These persons must do a great deal of work on behalf of the adoption. These include: background investigations of the child, social services, information updates, liaison with government and agency authorities.

This fee is due when you accept the assignment of a child.

Travel Costs
All countries where CHI places children require that parents travel to receive their child. Some require two trips. CHI assists families without charge, by coordinating their travel but family will work directly with the travel agency in making final arrangements and will pay the travel agency directly. CHI is not responsible for missed appointments nor for changes in travel.

Home Study Fee 
A qualified, experienced social worker will work with you, from either CHI if you live in Missouri, Washington, Oregon, New York or Tennessee. If you live in another state, your home study will be provided and billed by a CHI cooperating licensed agency in your area.

This will provide information about adopting and evaluate your ability to parent an adopted child. The social worker is your advocate and important partner in preparing you for adoption.

Post Adoption Fee
There will be follow-up visits with your social worker and reports for the overseas office. This is required by foreign countries and offers families an opportunity to receive support while the child and family are adjusting to each other. The same agency provides both the adoption study and post-Adoption services.

Fee Refunds
Special circumstances sometimes require a family, or CHI to withdraw from the adoption process before the child arrives home. Fee refunds are determined by the following circumstances

CHILDREN’S HOPE INTERNATIONAL

CLIENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Agency Hours in most offices are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hours may vary in some regional offices.

Evening hours are usually available by appointment.

CLIENT RIGHTS:

1. Clients have the right to expect their concerns will be heard and, if the agency cannot provide the service they are seeking, they can expect referral to appropriate service providers.

2. Clients have the right to expect they will be treated courteously and professionally.

3. Clients have the right to refuse services.

4. Clients have the right to expect that all records and communications shall be confidential and disclosed to others only with written consent.

5. Clients have the right to use Agency grievance procedures.

6. A client’s rights shall be explained using language, or another method of communication, which the client understands.

7. All clients shall be free from abuse and neglect. Clients shall be served with respect in a professional manner.

8. Clients shall not be deprived of any legally or constitutionally guaranteed rights, benefits or privileges.

If families have a complaint with CHI, they must first follow our client grievance policy procedures. Once you have gone through the CHI grievance policy and you are still not satisfied, you do have the right to file a complaint with COA (Council on Accreditation). Their contact information is 212-797-3000, www.coanet.org.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Agency expects those clients who seek adoption services to be diligent in utilizing those services and completing all procedures.

2. The Agency expects clients to be honest in revealing personal information.

3. The Agency expects clients to act in a respectful, non-threatening manner with staff.

4. The Agency expects clients to pay agreed upon fees promptly.

5. The Agency expects clients to follow rules and procedures for specific services and offices.

ALL THE ABOVE IS NOTED IN A SIGNED AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT BETWEEN CLIENT AND AGENCY.