Home Study

Regardless of the type of adoption (domestic or intercountry) or entity that assists families in the process (public agency, licensed private agency, attorney or adoption facilitator), nearly all families must complete the home study process prior to proceeding with an adoptive placement. The primary purpose of a home study is to ensure that each child is placed in a suitable home and that good matches are made between children and families. Home studies also help to ensure that prospective homes comply with State and local laws for placement of adoptive children and that parents and families are educated about adoption and have the information they need to make the best decisions for their families about adoption. Use the following resources to learn more about the adoption home study process, including specific practices related to different types of adoptions.

Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 1,356KB)
Year Published 2019
Discusses the requirements set by States for conducting background checks of prospective foster and adoptive parents and other out-of-home caregivers, as well as any adults residing in the prospective caregivers' households. These checks, including State and Federal criminal records and child abuse and neglect central registries, are part of the process of assessing the suitability of these caregivers to provide a safe home for children placed in their care. The circumstances that will disqualify an applicant also are discussed. An overview of Federal requirements also is provided. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Completing a Home Study
AdoptUSKids
Provides an overview of the home study process and explains how to prepare for one.

Home Study Process
Children Awaiting Parents
Provides an overview of what families should expect from the home study process.

Home Study Requirements
U.S. Department of State
Describes home study criteria from an intercountry adoption perspective.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 1,288KB)
Year Published 2021
Summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. The publication describes who must be included in the home study, qualifications for adoptive parents, elements of the home study process, exceptions for stepparent or relative placements, postplacement assessments of the child's adjustment to the adoptive family, requirements for placements across State lines, and more. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Self Assessment Tool
Children Awaiting Parents
Presents an assessment tool to help families determine if adoption is right for them.