Adoption: Where Do I Start?: Step 4: Complete a Home Study

This information was taken directly from Child Welfare Information Gateway

Step 4: Complete a Home Study

What You Should Know

No matter which type of adoption you choose to pursue, all prospective adoptive parents must have a home study or family study. A home study involves education, preparation, and gathering information about the prospective adoptive parents. This process can take from 2 to 10 months to complete, depending on agency waiting lists and training requirements. States vary regarding home study requirements, so you should check with your State Adoption Program to learn the specific regulations in your State. Intercountry adoption may carry special home study requirements, depending on the country and agency involved.

Some Places to Go

The Information Gateway factsheet The Adoption Home Study Process provides more information about what is generally included in a home study: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_homstu.cfm The National Foster Care & Adoption Directory lists public adoption agencies in each State and Territory: http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad

Continue to Adoption: Where Do I Start?: Step 5: Engage in the Placement Process

See also Home Study for more information on the home study process.

Resource

Child Welfare Information Gateway. Available online at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_start.cfm