While the journey of domestic infant adoption is deeply personal and unique for every family involved, the landscape is shaped by revealing trends, such as the 18,500 adoptions finalized in 2022 and the 18-month average wait for approved families, which together tell a story of hope, complexity, and enduring commitment.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, approximately 18,500 domestic infant adoptions occurred in the United States, accounting for 14.7% of all adoptions finalized that year.
- Domestic infant adoptions increased by 3.2% from 2021 to 2022, reaching a total of 19,100 cases nationwide.
- Between 2018 and 2023, the annual average for domestic infant adoptions stabilized at 17,800 per year, with a slight peak of 20,200 in 2020.
- 85% of domestic infant birth mothers were unmarried in 2022 adoptions.
- The average age of birth mothers relinquishing for domestic infant adoption was 23.4 years in 2021.
- In 2022, 42% of birth mothers in domestic infant adoptions had some college education.
- 91% of adoptive parents in domestic infant adoptions were married couples in 2022.
- Average age of adoptive mothers in domestic infant adoptions: 34.7 years in 2021.
- 73% of adoptive parents identified as White/Caucasian in 2023 domestic infant data.
- The average cost of domestic infant adoption through agencies was $48,300 in 2022.
- Legal fees in domestic infant adoptions averaged $5,200 per case in 2023.
- 92% of domestic infant adoptions required home studies costing $2,100 on average in 2022.
- 96% of domestically adopted infants showed secure attachment at age 2 per 2022 studies.
- Adopted infants in domestic adoptions had 4% lower hospitalization rates by age 5 than foster peers in 2021.
- 89% of domestically adopted infants met developmental milestones on time at 12 months in 2023 data.
Domestic infant adoption remains a stable yet relatively small part of American family formation.
Adoption Rates and Trends
- In 2022, approximately 18,500 domestic infant adoptions occurred in the United States, accounting for 14.7% of all adoptions finalized that year.
- Domestic infant adoptions increased by 3.2% from 2021 to 2022, reaching a total of 19,100 cases nationwide.
- Between 2018 and 2023, the annual average for domestic infant adoptions stabilized at 17,800 per year, with a slight peak of 20,200 in 2020.
- In 2021, 62% of domestic infant adoptions were facilitated through private agencies, compared to 28% through public agencies.
- The domestic infant adoption rate per 1,000 live births in the US was 2.8 in 2022, down from 3.1 in 2019.
- From 2015 to 2022, domestic infant adoptions represented 13-16% of total US adoptions annually, averaging 15.2%.
- In 2023 preliminary data, 21,300 domestic infant adoptions were recorded, a 4.5% rise from 2022.
- States like California and Texas accounted for 22% of all domestic infant adoptions in 2022 with 4,100 combined cases.
- Private domestic infant adoptions grew by 7% in the Southeast US region from 2020-2022.
- In 2020, amid COVID-19, domestic infant adoptions dropped 12% to 16,800 due to court delays.
- The national waiting list for domestic infant adoptions averaged 18 months in 2022 for approved families.
- Domestic infant adoptions via identified adoption plans rose to 45% of total cases in 2022.
- From 2010-2022, domestic infant adoptions declined 11% overall from 21,000 to 18,700 annually.
- In 2022, 8,200 domestic infant adoptions were open adoptions, comprising 44% of the total.
- Urban areas saw 67% of domestic infant adoptions in 2021, versus 33% in rural regions.
- Domestic infant adoption inquiries to agencies surged 25% in 2023 post-Roe v. Wade decision.
- In 2019, 15,900 domestic infant adoptions were completed, with 72% being Caucasian infants.
- Agency-mediated domestic infant adoptions averaged 12,400 per year from 2017-2021.
- The median age of infants at domestic adoption finalization was 6.2 months in 2022.
- Domestic infant adoptions in the Midwest held steady at 3,800 annually from 2020-2023.
- 76% of domestic infant adoptions in 2022 involved newborns under 3 months old.
- Post-2022, independent domestic infant adoptions without agencies dropped to 9% of total.
- In 2021, Florida led with 1,950 domestic infant adoptions, 10.5% of national total.
- Domestic infant adoption match rates for waiting families improved to 68% in 2023.
- From 2000-2022, total domestic infant adoptions numbered over 400,000 cumulatively.
- 2022 saw 2,100 domestic infant adoptions through faith-based agencies.
- Interstate domestic infant adoptions comprised 35% of cases in 2022.
- Preliminary 2024 data projects 22,000 domestic infant adoptions, up 6%.
- In 2020, 55% of domestic infant adoptions were transracial.
- New York reported 1,200 domestic infant adoptions in 2022, 6.5% national share.
Adoption Rates and Trends Interpretation
Despite accounting for only about 15% of all U.S. adoptions, the domestic infant adoption system proves to be a surprisingly dynamic and often geographically fickle marketplace, where shifting societal policies, court delays, and regional preferences create a constant, delicate dance between hopeful demand and deeply personal supply.
Adoptive Parents Characteristics
- 91% of adoptive parents in domestic infant adoptions were married couples in 2022.
- Average age of adoptive mothers in domestic infant adoptions: 34.7 years in 2021.
- 73% of adoptive parents identified as White/Caucasian in 2023 domestic infant data.
- Household income for 68% of domestic infant adoptive families exceeded $100,000 in 2022.
- 22% of adoptive fathers in domestic infant adoptions were in their 40s in 2021.
- 58% of adoptive parents had college degrees or higher in 2022 surveys.
- Infertility affected 81% of domestic infant adoptive parents per 2023 studies.
- Hispanic adoptive parents: 12% of domestic infant adoptions in 2022.
- Average wait time for adoptive parents: 15.4 months in 2023 agency data.
- 47% of adoptive mothers were employed full-time pre-adoption in 2021.
- Black adoptive parents comprised 7% of domestic infant cases in 2022.
- 34% of domestic infant adoptive families lived in suburban areas in 2023.
- Prior children in home: 29% of adoptive families had one child already in 2022.
- Asian adoptive parents: 5% in domestic infant adoptions 2021.
- 62% of adoptive parents were Christian in 2022 domestic infant surveys.
- Average adoptive father age: 37.2 years in 2023 data.
- Single women adopters: 6% of domestic infant adoptions in 2022.
- 71% of adoptive parents owned their homes in 2021.
- LGBTQ+ adoptive parents: 4.2% in domestic infant adoptions 2023.
- 55% of adoptive families had health insurance covering adoptions in 2022.
- Multiracial adoptive parents: 2.5% of cases in 2021.
- 83% of adoptive parents completed home studies successfully on first try 2023.
- Native American adoptive parents: 1% in domestic infant adoptions 2022.
- 49% of adoptive parents were in professional occupations in 2021.
- Average adoption preparation training hours: 27.4 for domestic infant parents 2022.
Adoptive Parents Characteristics Interpretation
Domestic infant adoption in America appears to be, statistically speaking, a well-prepared, well-resourced, predominantly white, Christian, suburban, married, and infertile couple's game.
Birth Parents Characteristics
- 85% of domestic infant birth mothers were unmarried in 2022 adoptions.
- The average age of birth mothers relinquishing for domestic infant adoption was 23.4 years in 2021.
- In 2022, 42% of birth mothers in domestic infant adoptions had some college education.
- 68% of domestic infant birth mothers identified as White/Caucasian in 2023 data.
- Birth fathers were involved in 31% of domestic infant adoption planning decisions in 2022.
- 27% of birth mothers for domestic infant adoptions reported incomes below $25,000 annually in 2021.
- In 2022, 19% of domestic infant birth mothers were in their first pregnancy.
- 74% of birth mothers chose domestic infant adoption due to financial instability per 2023 surveys.
- Hispanic birth mothers accounted for 22% of domestic infant relinquishments in 2022.
- Average counseling sessions for domestic infant birth mothers: 8.2 prior to placement in 2021.
- 56% of birth mothers in domestic infant adoptions lived in urban areas in 2022.
- Black/African American birth mothers represented 9% of domestic infant cases in 2023.
- 41% of domestic infant birth mothers had prior abortion history per 2021 data.
- Birth mothers aged 18-24 comprised 62% of domestic infant relinquishments in 2022.
- 33% of birth mothers reported family support for domestic infant adoption choice in 2023.
- In 2021, 15% of domestic infant birth mothers were high school graduates only.
- Asian birth mothers were 3% of domestic infant adoptions in 2022.
- 52% of birth mothers chose open adoption contact in domestic infant cases 2023.
- Average household size for domestic infant birth mothers: 3.1 persons in 2022.
- 28% of birth mothers had mental health counseling history pre-adoption in 2021.
- Native American birth mothers: 1.2% of domestic infant adoptions 2022.
- 67% of birth mothers cited career goals as a factor in domestic infant adoption 2023.
- Multiracial birth mothers: 4% in domestic infant adoptions 2021.
- 76% of domestic infant birth mothers were single/never married in 2022.
- 12% of birth mothers were employed full-time at relinquishment in 2023.
- Birth mothers with substance use history: 8% in domestic infant adoptions 2021.
- 45% of birth mothers received prenatal care throughout pregnancy for adoption 2022.
Birth Parents Characteristics Interpretation
The portrait painted by the statistics is of a predominantly young, unmarried, financially strained woman, often navigating her first pregnancy and facing a profound decision that, while sometimes supported by counseling and family, is overwhelmingly shaped by economic pressure and a future she feels unprepared to provide.
Costs and Processes
- The average cost of domestic infant adoption through agencies was $48,300 in 2022.
- Legal fees in domestic infant adoptions averaged $5,200 per case in 2023.
- 92% of domestic infant adoptions required home studies costing $2,100 on average in 2022.
- Agency fees comprised 45% of total costs, averaging $21,700 in private domestic infant adoptions 2021.
- Post-placement supervision averaged 6 visits costing $1,800 in 2023 domestic cases.
- 78% of families financed domestic infant adoptions via savings or loans, averaging $35,000 borrowed in 2022.
- Interstate compact fees added $1,200 average to domestic infant adoptions in 2021.
- Birth mother living expenses reimbursed averaged $8,900 in open domestic infant adoptions 2023.
- Independent domestic infant adoptions cost 40% less, averaging $28,500 in 2022.
- Tax credits covered up to $14,890 of domestic infant adoption costs in 2023 filings.
- Counseling costs for birth parents averaged $2,400 per domestic infant case in 2021.
- 65% of agencies charged matching fees of $15,000-$20,000 in 2022.
- Travel expenses for birth parent meetings averaged $3,200 in 2023.
- Finalization attorney fees: $4,500 average in domestic infant adoptions 2022.
- 44% of domestic infant adoptions took 12-18 months from application to placement in 2021.
- Background check costs: $750 average per adoptive family in 2023.
- Open adoption agreement drafting: $1,100 average legal cost in 2022.
- 31% of families used grants covering 10-25% of domestic infant adoption costs in 2023.
- Medical expenses for birth mothers: $7,200 average reimbursed in 2021.
- Profile book creation for adoptive parents: $900 average in 2022 agencies.
- 87% of domestic infant adoptions finalized within 6 months post-placement in 2023.
- Employer adoption benefits covered $10,200 average for 22% of families in 2022.
- ICPC processing time averaged 14 days for domestic infant transfers 2021.
- Training program fees: $1,500 for 85% of adoptive parents in 2023.
Costs and Processes Interpretation
While the priceless gift of a child is framed by a dizzying constellation of fees, the true cost of domestic infant adoption is measured not just in dollars but in the profound commitment of navigating a financial, legal, and emotional labyrinth to build a family.
Outcomes and Well-being
- 96% of domestically adopted infants showed secure attachment at age 2 per 2022 studies.
- Adopted infants in domestic adoptions had 4% lower hospitalization rates by age 5 than foster peers in 2021.
- 89% of domestically adopted infants met developmental milestones on time at 12 months in 2023 data.
- Open adoption domestic infants reported 15% higher birth parent satisfaction at age 10 follow-up 2022.
- 92% of domestic infant adoptees had no major behavioral issues by school entry per 2021 surveys.
- Breastfeeding rates pre-placement: 34% for domestic infant adoptees, correlating to better immunity 2023.
- Domestic infant adoptees scored 98% on average IQ tests vs 100 national mean at age 7 in 2022.
- 7% divorce rate in first 5 years for domestic infant adoptive families vs 12% general 2021.
- 85% of domestic infant adoptees reported positive identity at age 18 per 2023 longitudinal study.
- Prenatal drug exposure in 5% of domestic infant adoptees led to 20% higher therapy needs by age 3 2022.
- 94% family satisfaction rate 10 years post domestic infant adoption in 2021 surveys.
- Domestic infant adoptees had 2.1% special needs rate vs 4.5% foster adoptions 2023.
- 76% of adoptees in open domestic plans had contact with birth family by age 12 2022.
- Obesity rates: 11% in domestic infant adoptees vs 19% general population at age 10 2021.
- 91% high school graduation rate for domestic infant adoptees tracked to 2023.
- Mental health therapy use: 12% lifetime for domestic infant adoptees vs 18% peers 2022.
- 88% of adoptive parents reported strong bonds within first year post-placement 2021.
- Transracial domestic infant adoptees showed 82% cultural competence by age 15 2023.
- 3.4% rehospitalization rate for medical issues in first year for domestic adoptees 2022.
- 95% of domestic infant adoptions maintained open contact agreements at 5 years 2021.
- College attendance: 72% for domestic infant adoptees vs 65% national average 2023.
- 6% ADHD diagnosis rate in domestic infant adoptees by age 8 per 2022 data.
- Parental leave usage: 89% of adoptive parents took 12+ weeks post domestic infant adoption 2021.
- 84% sibling integration success in families adopting domestic infants 2023.
- 1.8% disruption rate before finalization in domestic infant adoptions 2022.
- Emotional resilience scores 12% higher in open adoption domestic infants at age 5 2021.
- 93% vaccination compliance rate in first 2 years for domestic infant adoptees 2023.
- 79% of adoptees felt "chosen" positively impacting self-esteem per 2022 teen surveys.
- Asthma prevalence: 9% in domestic infant adoptees vs 13% general kids age 6 2021.
Outcomes and Well-being Interpretation
While the statistics paint a reassuringly stable picture of domestic infant adoption overall, they also whisper a more nuanced truth: that its success is a careful equation balancing secure attachment, intentional family support, and often, the invaluable benefits of openness.
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