Your Adoption Home Study Checklist

The adoption home study can be a source of stress for many hopeful adoptive parents because your whole life is laid out on the table for someone else to review. That can feel scary and invasive, especially when you have to answer uncomfortable questions. It’s not surprising that many families find this adoption stage intimidating.

American Adoptions’ home study checklist will set you up for success, so you don’t have to feel anxious or uneasy.

The home study, as challenging as it may seem, 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.

For more free information about the home study process outside of this general home study checklist, you can call us at 1-800-ADOPTION today or fill out our online contact form now.

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:

• Review necessary documents

• Interview the family

• 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.

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, but in some cases, we cannot. We will help you find a local home study professional who can handle this step.

Our agency will review your home study to make sure it meets nationwide guidelines to prevent potential delays later on in the adoption process. This will also help ensure your eligibility to adopt your child no matter what state they are born in.

In the meantime, learn about some common items on most states’ home study adoption checklist below.

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:

• Tips for preparing your home

• A few interview questions you can expect to answer

• The basic documents you’ll need to fill out

Home Study Forms and Documents

The social worker conducting your home study will need to review a variety of 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.

While 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:

• ID (such as a driver’s license)

• Birth certificates

• Social security cards

• Marriage certificate (if married)

• Proof of citizenship or proof of legal immigration

• Proof of income

• Proof of employment

• Medical records

• Immunization records

• Pet vaccination records from the vet

• 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 workers 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:

• Functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Gates on stairs

• Covered electrical outlets

• Secure, locked windows with screens

• A first-aid kit on hand

• Any firearms out of reach and locked up

• Functioning heating and cooling

• No lead paint

• A safe yard, with proper guardrails around any decks or pools

• Safe, functioning appliances

• Child-proofed corners on furniture

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 and allows them to assess how prepared you are for an adoption placement.

Each interview is different, but you are likely to hear questions such as:

• What is your motivation to adopt?

• What is your parenting style?

• How has your own childhood affected the way you see parenting?

• Tell me about your marriage.

• Tell me about your job.

• How much do you know about the adoption process?

• Have you learned about the unique aspects of raising a child who comes home through adoption?

• What are your thoughts on cultural diversity?

• What is your approach to potentially having a transracial family?

• What are your hopes and dreams for your child?

• Why do you feel adoption is right for your family?

Understanding that the whole adoption home study process exists to protect children is crucial. This extensive stage can leave some families feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, but this process is necessary. It ultimately protects children and ensures safe placement.

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. 

If you have more questions about the adoption home study checklist, then we are here to answer them for you. You can get more free information now when you fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

You can get more free information about adoption online, or learn more about the home study and begin searching for a professional in your state at 1-800-HOMESTUDY.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.