Bringing Forever Families Together.

A home study is an in-depth review that prospective adoptive parents must go through to legally adopt. A home study typically includes evaluations of the adoptive parents’ relationship, inspections of their residence, parenting ideas, medical history, employment verification, financial status, and criminal background checks. Families are also required to complete education courses that will help you prepare for being an adoptive parent. After the home is completed, the family will have the opportunity to view the study prior to the final printing. Home studies can become “outdated.” There is a time period, usually one year, before a home study needs to be updated.

The home study process typically takes around three months to complete. This can be completed more quickly, or the process may take longer than three months. Factors that affect the time of completion include how quickly paperwork is completed and turned in by the family and how quickly background checks and references are received. There are a required number of visits within the home study process. For an international home study, you will be required to meet with your social worker at least four times. For a domestic home study, you will be required to meet with your social worker at least three times.