Regardless of the type of adoption (private agency, public agency, or intercountry), nearly all families must complete a home study process before adopting a child. There are a few exceptions. For example, stepparents adopting their spouses' children may not need a home study. The primary purpose of a home study is to ensure that each child is placed with a family that can best meet his or her needs. The home study process can help educate prospective adoptive parents about the type of adoption they are pursuing so they can make informed decisions that are best for their family.
This section contains resources about the home study process for different types of adoptions.
- Relative/kinship adoption
- Public agency adoption (foster care)
- Intercountry adoption
- State and local examples
Relative/kinship adoption
Adoption Homestudy Requirements by State
Adoption Network Law Center (2016)
Explains the home study requirements designed to ensure that a potential adoptive or foster parent is mentally sound, financially stable, healthy and prepared. This resource outlines rules and exceptions to home study requirements for relative adoptions according to specific State laws.
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,404KB) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Paths to Permanence: Kin Guardianship and Adoption (PDF - 392 KB)
Rowe (2013)
Adoption Advocate, 59
Examines the benefits and challenges that kin guardians may face as they pursue formal adoption.
Public agency adoption (foster care)
Casey Foster Family Assessments
Casey Family Programs
Provides free tools for workers and families to help with the foster family assessment process.
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,593KB) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Intercountry adoption
FAQ: Conducting Home Studies for American Citizens Residing Abroad in Incoming/Immigrating Convention Cases
U.S. Department of State
Supplies information on completing home studies for families who live abroad and wish to effect an intercountry adoption.
Home Study
U.S. Department of State
Outlines the requirements for home studies for Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries.
| Series Title | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 499KB) |
| Year Published | 2020 |
State and local examples
Foster Care Children Licensing Standards (PDF - 361 KB)
North Dakota Department of Human Services (2014)
Provides guidance to child welfare professionals on the development and implementation of home study requirements for prospective foster parents.
Standard for the Recruitment and Licensing of Resource Parents (PDF - 130 KB)
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (2017)
Discusses the training, assessment, and licensing requirements for prospective resource families, including guidelines for the first contact with the family and the application process.
State Legislation to Expedite and Streamline the Adoption Process 2008–2013
Williams-Mbengue (2014)
National Conference of State Legislatures
Offers a chart of State legislation to expedite and streamline the adoption process.
Unified Home Study Training: The Interim Process: What’s Coming in FSFN Release 2 (PDF - 754 KB)
Florida Department of Children and Families (2013)
Outlines Florida’s licensing standards for prospective resource families.
Virginia’s Adoption Home Study Process (PDF - 735 KB)
Egen (2016)
Commonwealth of Virginia Commission on Youth
Describes the findings of a State-mandated study of the adoption home study process. This resource includes recommendations for future legislation.