Can I adopt through foster care, and does it cost anything?
Yes, many foster parents adopt through foster care, especially when reunification with the birth family isn’t possible. Adoption through foster care is usually free or very low-cost in Virginia. Most required fees, like court costs, are reimbursed. Fostering gives you the opportunity to provide temporary care, but it can also lead to becoming a forever family for a child.
Foster care’s primary goal is reunification with the birth family, but when that isn’t possible, adoption may become the plan. In Virginia, many children are adopted directly from foster care, and foster parents are often considered first because they already have a strong bond with the child.
One of the biggest advantages of adopting through foster care is that it is usually low-cost or free. Unlike private or international adoption, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, foster-to-adopt families in Virginia generally face little to no expense. Required fees, such as court costs or medical exams, are often reimbursed.
Adoption through foster care also comes with ongoing support. In many cases, children adopted from foster care may continue to receive Medicaid coverage and monthly subsidies, depending on their needs.
For families searching “How much does it cost to adopt in Virginia?” or “Can I adopt a child I foster?”, the answer is encouraging: adoption through foster care is affordable, accessible, and offers children a permanent, loving family when they cannot return home.
