Adoption Home Study: What You Need to Know

A home study for adoption is mandatory if you live in the U.S. and want to adopt. Home studies ensure that children will be in loving, safe, secure environments.

The home study is a living document by a licensed social worker. The report will give a picture of your life right now. It also confirms you can care for and parent a child. Home studies include background checks, employment and financial verification, a home visit, and a medical report.

The social worker will also research your relationships, adoption motivation, parenting style, and more. Additionally, the social worker is responsible for recommending that a child can be safely placed in your home, and that is a responsibility they take very seriously as they should. Your report will determine your recommendation as a safe adoptive home.

Florida Home Studies for Adoption

Lifetime Adoption has a Florida state license for completing adoption home studies in all Florida counties. To learn more about the home study process or to schedule a Florida adoption home study, please call us. You can also download more information on our Florida adoption home study services here. In other states, we will provide you with trusted referrals to complete your home study and provide post-placement services.

Adoption Home Study Training

Every state has its own laws and requirements regarding home studies. For example, Florida requires 21 hours of training on adoption topics. Lifetime Adoption offers webinars approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (available to all adoptive parents). We also offer one-on-one training and webinars for specific special situations.

Adoption Home Visit

The home study should not make you feel nervous. This is a meeting scheduled in advance. The goal is to ensure your home is safe and spacious enough for a child or children. Make sure that detectors are working, that you have a first aid kit, and that you take other child-proofing measures.

The social worker will interview you and anyone else that lives in your home. This is a great time to interact with your home study provider. You will receive guidance and support and have an opportunity to ask any questions that may be on your mind. This home study should not be painful, it should be informative and helpful.

Adoption Home Study Updates

You will need an annual adoption home study renewal each year until you adopt. You’ll also need to update your home study if you move, get a new job, or have another significant life change. Communication is key, so maintain contact with your adoption coordinator and social worker. Once complete, a home study is valid with any attorney or agency in the US for domestic adoption.

Adoption Post-Placement Report

If your state requires it, a social worker will visit you within one week of placement. This will continue monthly or quarterly until the adoption is final. The post-placement visits are to check in on the child’s development and make sure that everyone is doing well.

This is an excellent time to ask the social worker any questions you might have and request resources. The home study provider will then provide a written recommendation to the adoption attorney. This will be sent to the court for review, and then they will finalize the adoption.

If you have any questions or would like to receive more information, please call or complete the form below. You can also review our adoption home study checklist to review the steps and which documents you’ll need to get ready. We look forward to serving you!