If you’re starting the adoption process in Idaho, you may wonder how the home study works. This guide can help couples working through adoption in Idaho prepare for this essential adoption step.

If you're ready to talk to an adoption specialist about adoption and the home study, reach out to us via our free online form.

What is an adoption home study?

In essence, the adoption in Idaho home study is an overview of a prospective adoptive family’s readiness to adopt. It sounds scary; a social worker is reviewing every detail about you and determining whether or not you’re ready to adopt a child. However, we promise that he or she is simply there to help. In addition to determining whether or not you are ready to grow through adoption, your social worker will work to teach you about adoption and help you prepare to bring your adopted child home.

The Idaho adoption home study is comprised of three phases: a documentation stage that includes background checks, a home inspection, and interviews with each family member living in the home. Not only will this ensure that your family is physically, mentally and financially healthy enough to adopt, but it will also serve to make sure that everyone is equally as excited and ready for a new family member.

How does the home study for adoption process work in Idaho?

While it may seem like the Idaho adoption home study process is a complicated one, it will actually be completed in a few easy steps:

Step 1: Select a home study provider near you. In Idaho, these can be completed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Step 2: Complete background checks with the appropriate law enforcement agency. You will be required to submit fingerprints in order to obtain criminal records. While having anything on your record will not necessarily ban you from adopting, it’s a good idea to see “Idaho Adoption Requirements” and to speak with a social worker about the nature of your background.

Step 3: Set up a meeting with your home study provider to help outline the rest of what you’ll need for the Idaho adoption home study.

Step 4: Work through the below Idaho adoption home study checklist to ensure that everything — such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver's licenses, financial documents and more — is ready for your home study provider ahead of time

Step 5: Have the social worker into your home for the home inspection and interviews with each family member.

Step 6: Once your home study provider sends the final home study document in the mail, review it to ensure that all information is correct. If there are any mistakes or corrections, make sure to inform your home study provider at once.

As long as all of the information on your Idaho adoption home study document is correct, you’re finished! You’ll begin working with your adoption agency to find adoption opportunities. Be sure to notify your home study provider should any significant life changes occur.

Idaho Adoption Home Study Checklist

The documentation phase of the Idaho adoption home study can easily be the most time-consuming. In an effort to be prepared as possible, it can be helpful to begin gathering the following documents ahead of time:

• Marriage certificate

• Birth certificates

• Driver's licenses and proof of insurance

• Passports if your family hopes to pursue an international adoption

• Proof of up-to-date health records and checkups

• Background checks and clearances from relevant law enforcement agencies

• Documents such as pay stubs, income statements or tax returns to verify that you are capable of providing for a child’s needs

• Three to five references, including contact information

• Autobiographical statements to help your home study provider get to know you and understand your journey to adoption

You should also make sure your home is equipped with the following:

• Smoke and CO2 detectors

• Fire extinguishers

• Lids for any trash cans

• Working locks and screens on all doors and windows

• Covered outlets

• Fences around pools or any bodies of water

• A list of emergency phone numbers

• A first-aid kid

• A home evacuation plan

To learn more about the Idaho adoption home study, please contact a local home study provider. For more information on how adopting a baby in Idaho works with our agency, please call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION. 

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