One of the options for infertile couples is adoption. Even though Bennett Fertility Institute does not provide adoption services, we offer several recommendations for couples seeking adoption.

One is advised to inquire about adoption with as many sources as possible to formulate a realistic plan for this process, taking into account the emotional, financial and legal issues involved. We do not have any contracts or arrangements with any particular adoption agencies or attorneys. We can, however, offer advise about attorneys and agencies with which our patients have interacted in the past.

Our patients are strongly advised to seek services from reputable sources, since as patients they are very vulnerable to inappropriate handling and even exploitation while seeking to adopt.

Whom should I contact for information?

Several sources of information about adoption are available:

• Word of mouth
• Books
• The Internet
• The phone directory
• Other sources

The Internet may provide valuable information, though anybody can print information through this medium, so reliability is often an issue.

The following is a list of agencies and organizations which may be helpful in providing preliminary information about adoption. This is not by any means a complete list but a starting point:

Adoptive Families of America
3333 Highway 100 North
Minneapolis, MN 55422
(800) 372-3300
(612) 535-4829

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
PO Box 33053
Washington DC, 20033
(202) 832-2222

RESOLVE, Inc.
1310 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-1156
http://www.resolve.org/

How much would adoption cost us?
Whereas each adoption may have different expenses (generally, international adoptions cost more than local adoptions; adoptions through a private attorney cost more than adoption through a state agency; etc), the average cost of adoption is $18,000 to $20,000. Please inquire ahead of time about all costs, obvious or hidden. There is a tax credit of up to $10,000 for adoptive families.

Be careful of requests to pay the entire cost of the adoption in advance. Ask about refund policy and, generally, consider first adoption procedures which allow you to "pay as you go". Be wary of agencies that charge high fees or want a retainer paid in full without any provisions for refund or guaranteeing a child.