Understanding the Potential Costs of a Birth Parents Search
When I first started learning about birth parent searches, I knew it would take time and a lot of emotional energy. What I didn’t expect was how many small costs show up along the way. Some are predictable. Others arrive out of nowhere. None of this means you have to spend a lot to search, but it does help to understand what you might run into if you choose to take certain steps.
Everyone’s path looks different. Some people spend almost nothing and find answers quickly. Others invest years and thousands of dollars without a clear ending. There is no right way to do this and no guaranteed outcome. This guide simply lays out the potential costs so you can plan thoughtfully.
DNA Testing
DNA is one of the most powerful tools, but it adds up quickly if you test on multiple platforms, as most adoptees do. Often times, you can get steep discounts during major holidays, so I’d recommend purchasing during 11.11 (China) or Black Friday (Western societies).
Major DNA Tests
23andMe
$99 to $499
AncestryDNA
$99 to $199
MyHeritage
$89
23Mofang (祖源)
¥499 to ¥899 (about $70 to $125 USD)
Wegene
$199
Uploading Raw DNA to Other Sites
GEDmatch
Free (Tier 1 tools are $10 per month, but not necessary)
WeGene
$29.99
23mofang
¥299 (about $43)
Family Tree DNA
Free
MyHeritage DNA
No longer offered as of August 2025
Paternity (STR) Databases
National Reunion Database
$25-38+ through the Nanchang Project Assistance Program
Search Posters and Printing
Poster Design
Free
If you design it yourself in Canva.
$8 to $40
If you buy a template from Etsy or a creator.
$50 to $200+
If you hire a professional designer.
Printing Costs
At home
$5 to $20 for ink and paper for a small batch.
Local print shop
$0.50 to $3 per poster. Probably cheaper if you print in China.
Large format or laminated posters
$5 to $15 each.
Distribution Costs
Free
Posting on social media or having friends share digitally.
$20 to $300+
Physical distribution across cities or paying someone to help post locally.
Document Retrieval and Paperwork
Paperwork is unpredictable. Some records are free and easy to access. Others require requests, translations, and official copies.
Adoption Records
Free
If your agency or orphanage releases records without charge.
$20 to $150
For certified copies, translations, or administrative fees.
$200+
If records are archived, sealed, or processed through government systems.
Birth Certificates
$10 to $50 per official copy
More if international or notarized.
Translation Costs
Free
If done by a friend or free tools like Google Translate.
$20 to $60 per page
For professional translation.
Private Investigators and Search Specialists
Not everyone chooses this route, but it can become part of the search if leads run cold.
Local investigator in China
$500 to $2,000+
Extensive long-term tracing
$3,000 to $10,000+ in rare cases
Travel Expenses (If You Search In Person)
Travel is where costs can climb quickly, especially for adoptees living outside China or traveling across several regions. Some adoptees end up taking multi-city trips to visit their orphanage, the finding site, or surrounding areas. These trips can be meaningful but are often the most expensive part of the search.
Travel within China
Flights within China
$100 to $400/flight
High-speed train
$10 to $150/train
Transportation
$20 to $150/day
Interpreter/guide
$50–$200/day
Travel to China
Flights to China
$800 to $2,000+/person
Visas
$50 to $200+/person
Accommodation
$30 to $250/night
Food
$15 to $50/person/day
Additional Considerations
Emotional support: Therapy/counseling costs: $70–$200/session
Time off work: Highly variable
The Full Reality Check
Here is what real totals often look like:
-
One DNA kit
Upload DNA to free sites and 23mofang and Wegene
Social media
Community help
-
Multiple DNA kits
Search posters
Document requests
Social media
Community help
-
Investigators
International travel
Extended stays
Professional services
Multiple DNA kits
Search posters
Document requests
Social media
Community help
Closing
There’s no guaranteed outcome in this process, no matter how much time or money you put into it. Some people spend almost nothing and find answers right away. Others invest so much and still walk away with more questions than clarity. None of that reflects effort or worth.
If cost feels like the thing holding you back, start with what is free. Sharing your story online, connecting with community groups, and learning from others can take you farther than you might expect before you ever spend a dollar.