How much does it cost to adopt a child in the UK?
Something we are frequently asked is: how much does it cost to adopt a child?
In the current climate, where many households are facing increased food, energy, transport and housing costs, this question is particularly relevant for anyone thinking about becoming a parent.
People are often surprised to hear that there is no cost of adoption charged by agencies for applicants who wish to adopt a child, or children, from the UK.
This is the same whether you choose to adopt through an independent or voluntary adoption agency (VAA) like PACT, a local authority, or a regional adoption agency.
Is adoption free in the UK?
There is no fee from your agency for the entire adoption process if you are adopting a child from the UK. This covers every stage – from making an enquiry, submitting a formal application to adopt, preparation training, assessment and approval at adoption panel, right through to having a child or children placed with you.
Even if you find you need adoption support in the future, PACT is there for all its families, for life. As an adoption charity, PACT fundraises to provide a vast package of support services to its families, without charge, if they should ever need it.
In other words, you will not be charged for:
- Making an initial enquiry
- Submitting a formal application to adopt
- Attending preparation training
- Being assessed and approved at adoption panel
- Having a child or children placed with your family
- Accessing adoption support services through PACT in future
What costs might I need to pay?
While there is no cost for adopting a child, there are a couple of things that prospective adopters should be aware of that they may have to pay for as part of the adoption process.
| Potential cost | Who typically pays | Notes |
| Agency / adoption service fee (if adopting a child from UK) | Nobody – free to all adopters | Applies equally to VAAs, local authorities, and RAAs |
| GP medical report | You | Many surgeries charge a private fee; check with your practice early |
| Overseas DBS check | You | Only required if you have ever lived or worked abroad |
| Interpreter / translator fees | You | Only if referees cannot communicate in English |
| Travel to training and assessment sessions | You | Check locations early – especially relevant for VAA applicants |
| Travel and accommodation (post-approval: meetings, matching panel, introductions) | Usually the child’s local authority | Especially relevant when linked with a child in another part of the country |
| Adoption order court fee (County Court) | Usually the local authority / RAA | There may be additional legal costs for complex cases |
| Home preparation (cot, bed, etc.) | You | Financial support for significant additional expenses at LA discretion |
GP medical check
As part of your assessment, you will need a medical check from your GP. Many surgeries do charge a private fee for this report, so it is worth checking with your practice early in the process.
Overseas DBS check
If you have ever lived or worked abroad, you may be required to obtain an overseas Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. There is usually a cost associated with this, which varies depending on the country.
Interpreter and translator fees
There may also be a cost if there is a need for an interpreter and/or translator for any referees who are unable to speak or write in English.
Travel to training sessions
An additional expense to factor in is travel expenses to and from training sessions while you are in assessment. Do check where these are likely to take place.
What does the local authority or agency pay for?
After approval, and when the family finding stage of the adoption process begins, there may be expenses you incur for travel and accommodation for meetings, matching panel and introductions to your child or children, particularly if you adopt with a VAA and you are linked with a child in another part of the country. These costs are usually met by the child’s local authority.
There is a set fee to lodge an adoption order application in the County Court – the process where you formally become the legal parent(s) – but again, the local authority/regional adoption agency usually pay this. There may be legal costs involved if the application is complex. The child’s local authority may pay for part or all of these charges, especially with complex cases.
All families will be expected to prepare their home when adopting a child, with an appropriate cot or bed for example. Financial support for any significant additional expenses may only be considered at the discretion of the placing local authority/regional adoption agency.
Does my income or savings affect whether I can adopt?
When assessing a family to become adoptive parents, we are not looking for people with high incomes or vast savings. Being on a low income or receiving benefits does not mean you can’t adopt a child.
We are looking for people to demonstrate they can manage their finances and are able to be at home with a child or children for at least 12 months. If you work, this will mean taking adoption leave.
As anyone who has ever parented a child will know, having children can be expensive, particularly now that the cost of living is rising and we are facing economic challenges across the UK. However, the adoption process is designed so that income is not a barrier for someone choosing to become a parent to a child, or children, in need of a permanent family.
Is there financial support available to families?
Adoption allowance
If an adopted child has significant needs that require financial assistance, an adoption allowance may be paid by the placing local authority/regional adoption agency. You may be eligible for a means-tested adoption allowance which can be discussed at the matching stage.
Adoption leave and pay
If you are employed, you will need to take adoption leave to be at home with your child. Statutory adoption pay mirrors statutory maternity pay in the UK, and you may be entitled to up to 52 weeks of adoption leave. Some employers offer enhanced adoption pay – check your employment contract. You can find out more on our adoption leave and pay page.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of adoption
Do you have to pay to adopt a child in the UK?
No. There are no agency fees charged to prospective adopters in the UK, regardless of whether you apply through a VAA like PACT, a local authority, or a regional adoption agency. The entire adoption service – from your first enquiry to a child being placed with you – is provided free of charge.
Does it cost money to adopt a child?
The adoption process itself is free. You may have some small out-of-pocket expenses – such as a GP medical report fee, travel to training, or an overseas DBS check if you have previously lived abroad – but there are no fees payable to the adoption agency at any stage.
How much does adoption cost in the UK?
The agency fee is £0. The most common incidental cost is the GP medical report. Travel and accommodation costs during the later stages are usually met by the child’s local authority, as is the court fee for the adoption order application.
Is adoption free in the UK?
Yes. Adopting through any UK adoption agency – whether a voluntary adoption agency, a local authority, or a regional adoption agency – is free to applicants. There are no agency fees at any stage of the process if you plan to adopt a child from the UK.
Can I adopt if I am on benefits or have a low income?
Yes. Being on a low income or receiving benefits does not mean you can’t adopt a child. What matters is that you can demonstrate you are able to manage your finances and support a child. We are not looking for people with high incomes or vast savings.
What is an adoption allowance?
An adoption allowance is a means-tested payment that may be made by the placing local authority or regional adoption agency where a child has significant needs requiring financial support. It is not available to all adoptive families and is discussed at the matching stage.
Is adoption expensive?
In some countries, private adoption can cost tens of thousands of pounds. The UK is very different: domestic adoption through a UK agency is free to applicants. The process is specifically designed so that income is not a barrier for anyone who wants to become a parent to a child in need of a permanent family.
Why do people think adoption costs money?
The perception often comes from international adoption (which can involve significant legal and agency fees) or private arrangements. In the UK, domestic adoption through a regulated agency carries no fee. Any incidental costs – such as a GP medical check – are a small and predictable part of the process.
Ready to find out more about adopting with PACT?
PACT is a leading voluntary adoption agency (VAA) supporting families across England. As an adoption charity, we fundraise to provide an extensive package of support services to all our families – at no charge, for life. The adoption process is designed so that income is not a barrier.
To learn more, watch our Talking Adoption show about the cost of adoption below. You can find all episodes of our Talking Adoption show here on our YouTube channel.
Talking Adoption: Money matters and the cost of living
PACT fundraises to support its families for life
We provide an enhanced range of adoption support services to all our families.
One parent said: “[The Adopter Champion service] has truly saved my family! We now have a wonderful little boy who enjoys spending time with his family, and comes to us for comfort. At home now we are not just surviving, we are thriving.”
Another said: “The input we have had from both [the Education Lead] and the Adoption Support team at PACT has been phenomenal and our lives are certainly better for it.”
