Preparing for a Successful Home Study

Preparing for the Home Study

If you’re researching how to prepare for a home study, you’re already ahead.

Preparation before the home study starts can make a big difference when it comes to how smooth the process goes and how quickly the home study is completed.

Also, the process will seem less stressful if you have a good grasp on what’s happening and what is expected of you.

How to Pass a Home Study for Adoption

So, what are the best things you can do when preparing for the home study? There are several practical steps you can take to get a head start.

Step 1: Start Gathering Documents and Records

One of the first things a social worker will do in the home study is review several documents. Some of these are standard documents that need to be on file — things like a driver’s license, birth certificate, and social security card for each adoptive family member.

Others will be things that most families do not keep on file. If you can find copies of tax records, medical records, any relevant immigration papers and proof of income, it will make the process go faster.

Get a head start by reviewing our home study checklist for some of the most common documentation you may need.

Step 2: Prep Your Home

This is one of the most important ways of preparing for the home study. Your home study social worker will conduct an in-home visit where they make sure your home is safe for a child. You can help this in-home visit be smooth and successful by preparing your home ahead of time.

Make sure all locks work properly on windows and doors, smoke detectors are functioning, stairs have safe rails and gates, electrical outlets are covered, the home is clean, and you have emergency plans prepared in case of disasters.

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect — this isn’t a “white-glove test” — but you should make sure it meets some basic requirements. 

Step 3: Think about the Interview

Following the home review, family members will also be interviewed.This is a chance for your social worker to get to know you and to evaluate your adoption readiness.

One of the most important adoption home study tips we can give is to think about the interview questions you will likely hear beforehand. Thoughtful answers go a long way.

Step 4: Work with an Adoption Specialist

This may be the most important part of how to pass a home study for adoption. We'll guide you through the entire adoption process, including the home study.

Whereas other agencies may encumber you with avoidable delays, paperwork or frequent mistakes, American Adoptions is a licensed, professional agency.

We ensure that your home study process with us will be as smooth and straightforward as possible.

More Adoption Home Study Tips

Along with these very practical adoption home study tips, there are some other helpful things to keep in mind. These tips don’t fit on a “to-do” list, but they can be helpful reminders.

Hopefully, these adoption home study tips will help you get started in preparing for the home study. If you’d like to learn more about the home study or how to prepare, then you can get more free information online at any time.