If you're a hopeful couple considering adoption in New Mexico, you probably have a lot of questions. And, if you've come to this page, you're probably wondering, "What is an adoption home study?"

You can learn more about the New Mexico adoption and home study process by calling us at 1-800-ADOPTION or filling out our online contact form.

Until then, a New Mexico adoption home study is an assessment of a family’s readiness to adopt. A social worker will perform an in-depth overview of a family’s life in order to determine whether or not they are suitable to adopt. It can sound scary, but we promise it doesn’t have to be. In addition to ensuring your home is safe for a child, an adoption home study in New Mexico also serves to educate you and help to match with you the right birth parents.

A New Mexico adoption home study has three primary phases: a documentation stage, a home inspection, and interviews with each member of your family. These stages work together to ensure that all members of your family are physically, mentally and financially healthy, as well as safe and dedicated to pursuing adoption.

How does the home study for adoption process work in New Mexico?

A New Mexico adoption home study may be intimidating, but it’s actually a fairly simple process:

Step 1: Select a home study provider near you. Adoptions Plus is licensed to complete the adoption home study in New Mexico.

Step 2: Complete background checks with the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including submitting fingerprints and obtaining criminal records.

Step 3: Work with your social worker to determine what else you’ll need to provide for the New Mexico adoption home study process.

Step 4: Prepare all of the paperwork to give to your home study provider. (See the adoption home study checklist below.)

Step 5: Receive your home study provider into your home for the home visit.

Step 6: Once you receive your home study document, review and confirm all information before returning it to your home study provider.

And just like that, you’re done! Once your home study is completed and approved, you will be eligible to pursue adoption opportunities. If you make any significant life changes between the completion of your home study and the adoption of a child, be sure to update your home study with your home study provider.

New Mexico Adoption Home Study Checklist

Since the documentation phase of the New Mexico adoption home study process can feel overwhelming, it can be helpful to prepare some of your documents beforehand. These may include:

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Green cards

• Driver’s licenses

• Proof of insurance

• Physical and mental health statements

• Background checks and clearances

• Financial information, such as pay stubs, income statements or tax returns

• Autobiographical statements that state why you wish to adopt

• Three to five references with contact information

For the home inspection, you’ll want to make sure you have:

• Smoke and CO2 detectors

• Fire extinguishers

• Locks and screens on all doors and windows

• Covered outlets

• Fences around any pools

• A first-aid kit

• A home evacuation plan

To learn more about New Mexico adoption with our agency or to start the adoption process today, please call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION, or request information here.  

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.