Adoption Home Studies

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.

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.
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.

Relative/kinship adoption

Assessing Adult Relatives as Preferred Caregivers in Permanency Planning: A Competency-Based Curriculum (PDF - 312 KB)
National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning (2002)
Describes the educational and administrative support social workers need to identify and assess relatives to consider as first placement resources for children.

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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.

Casey Home Assessment Protocol (CHAP) Technical Manual and User's Manual
Casey Family Programs (2006)
Explains the methodology and structure of the Casey Home Assessment Protocol, a comprehensive system for evaluating the capacity of a family to provide foster care.

Finding a Fit That Will Last a Lifetime (PDF - 374 KB)
AdoptUsKids (2006)
Assists caseworkers with assessment, decision-making, and matching/placement processes.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 1,593KB)
Year Published 2018
Discusses State laws and policies for licensing or approving family foster homes. A licensed family is one that is approved by the State to provide care for children and that meets basic standards of safety and is able to provide a healthy and nurturing home environment. The topics discussed include training requirements, the process for approving homes, grounds for not approving homes, kinship placements, adopting from foster care, and interjurisdictional placements. Summaries of laws and policies for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Plan, Prepare, and Support to Prevent Disruptions
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Discusses the importance of careful matching, adequate preparation, thoughtful transitions, and abundant family support after adoption for preventing placement disruptions.

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Intercountry adoption

Home Study
U.S. Department of State
Outlines the requirements for home studies for Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries.

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.

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