Your Adoption Home Study Checklist
How to Prepare for the Home Visit, Interviews and More
The home study can be another smooth step on your way to an adoption placement. And this adoption home study checklist will put you on the right path. We're here to set you up for success.
What Is the Adoption Home Study?
The home study is a review of a hopeful adoptive family’s lifestyle, living situation and adoption readiness. A licensed social worker — who is typically a part of a larger adoption agency or other social work organization — conducts this review.
During the home study, the social worker will:
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Review necessary documents
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Conduct a home inspection
They will write a home study report, which they will then send to the state government, court and the adoption agency the parents are working with.
This report will be referenced at the adoption finalization hearing to ensure that the placement is safe for the child.
Typically, the home study is the last step of the process a family must complete before their profile can go live for prospective birth mothers to view.
Helpful Information
Adoption Home Study Checklist by State
Adoption laws are enforced at the state level. Each state has different expectations and requirements for every step of the process, including the adoption home study.
To help families navigate all of the different standards, we created a guide for every state, which allows you to find a basic home study checklist specific to where you live.
Keep in mind: when you work with a national agency like American Adoptions, your home study may need to meet additional standards beyond your state’s requirements.
For example, we can provide home study services in most states. Even if we don't offer home study services in your particular state, we will help you find a local home study professional who can handle this step.
We'll review your home study to make sure it meets nationwide guidelines to prevent potential delays later on in the adoption process. You should never have to deal with preventable delays, unnecessary paperwork or avoidable mistakes from an indequate home study worker.
As a licensed home study provider, we will always ensure that your home study is as smooth as possible. Our national scope will also help ensure your eligibility to adopt your child no matter what state they are born in.
General Home Study Checklist
Although there will be unique details in your state’s specific home study checklist, many aspects of the home study are similar across the country.
You can rely on this home study checklist to help cover the basics — just make sure to check with your home study worker to determine what other requirements you may need to meet. This guide will cover important information, such as:
Home Study Forms and Documents
The social worker conducting your home study will need to review various documents at the beginning of the process.
One of the best ways a family can prepare for the home study and help speed up the process is by collecting these documents and home study forms ahead of time.
Although your social worker may ask for something that isn’t on this home study checklist, you can get a head start by gathering the following:
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ID (such as a driver’s license)
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Birth certificates
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Social security cards
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Marriage certificate (if married)
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Proof of citizenship or proof of legal immigration
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Proof of employment
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Medical records
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Immunization records
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Pet vaccination records from the vet
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An autobiographical statement
Adoption Home Inspection Checklist
The home study involves an inspection of a family’s living situation to make sure it is safe for a child. You can ask your social worker for an adoption home visit checklist ahead of time.
Preparing your home before your social worker's visits can make this process much smoother.
Each state has different points of emphasis when it comes to the home inspection, but this social worker home visit checklist will touch on the major points across the country, such as:
Family Member Interviews
Finally, your social worker will interview all family members living in the house. This helps the social worker get to know you.
Each interview is different, but you are likely to hear questions such as:
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What is your motivation to adopt?
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What is your parenting style?
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How has your own childhood affected the way you see parenting?
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Tell me about your marriage.
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Tell me about your job.
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How much do you know about the adoption process?
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Have you learned about the unique aspects of raising a child who comes home through adoption?
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What are your thoughts on cultural diversity?
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What is your approach to potentially having a transracial family?
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What are your hopes and dreams for your child?
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Why do you feel adoption is right for your family?
When you remain flexible and follow this home study checklist, you’ll be better prepared for a successful adoption.
Talk to Your Adoption Specialist about a More Specific Home Study Adoption Checklist
Along with following this adoption home inspection checklist, the best way to prepare for a home study is to work with a knowledgeable, helpful adoption specialist.
At American Adoptions, our specialists have many years of experience working with families from all across the country. And some have even been in your shoes, going through the adoption process themselves.
They can give you specific guidance about the unique nature of your state’s adoption home study.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
