An adoption home study is a written report on prospective adoptive parents. This report is completed either by an adoption agency social worker or by an independent licensed social worker. State laws or State regulations govern who can provide home study services in each State. Agency regulations can require that prospective adoptive parents attend one or more training sessions in preparation for or as part of the home study process. The length of time needed to complete the home study varies from agency to agency, but 3 to 6 months is no unusual.

In general, the following information is included in a home study:

* Personal and family background of the applicant(s) --- including upbringing, siblings, key events and what was learned from these events
* Significant people in the lives of the applicant(s)
* Marriage and family relationships
* Motivation to adopt
* Expectations for the child
* Feelings about infertility, if this is an issue
* Parenting and integration of the child into the family
* Family environment
* Physical and health history of the applicants
* Education, employment and finances, including insurance coverage and child care plans if needed
* References and criminal background clearances
* Summary and social worker's recommendation

While you are in the process of selecting an agency, ask about their home study process. Adoptive parenting is not just the same as parenting a child born to you and you will be parenting a child for many years. Look for a home study process that is comprehensive and thought-provoking--one which supports you in taking the time to ensure that this is the right decision for you. The emphasis should not be on finding the quickest and least intrusive process but rather one that partners with you as you examine your strengths and weaknesses, and the issues unique to adoptive parenting. Investment in preparation can reap many long-term benefits for you and for your child.

For more information on this process, please see our factsheet on The Adoption Homestudy Process.

For a list of public and private adoption agencies in all 50 U.S. states and territories, you can search our National Adoption Directory online.

This material has been taken from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse Web site as reviewed and approved for addition to this site on January 15, 2004.

The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse http://naic.acf.hhs.gov, can be reached toll free at 1-888-251-0075,or by e-mail at: naic@calib.com.