1-800-HOMESTUDY
About the Home Study Q & A
Q. How long does it take to complete an adoption home study?
Q. Why do I need an adoption home study?
Q. Who should complete our adoption home study?
Q. Before beginning our adoption home study, should we choose our placing agency?
Q. Are all home studies created equally?
Q. What makes one home study provider better than another?
Q. How do I know if an adoption home study professional is qualified to perform certain home studies?
Q. How much can an adoption home study cost?
Q. Who are we?
A. An adoption home study is the process in which a social worker creates a review of a family's life in order to determine that they are fit to become adoptive parents. During the adoption home study process, the social worker will determine a family's readiness to welcome a child into their home, and they will educate the family about the adoption process. The home study is the first step towards adopting a child, and it can be a time consuming process. Many documents, such as birth certificates and background checks, must be collected in order to complete an adoption home study. The social worker will also visit the prospective adoptive parent’s home at least once and will interview all members of the household.
return to topQ. How long does it take to complete an adoption home study?
A. The adoption home study process can take up to 90 days to complete. Typically, a 1-800-HOMESTUDY affiliate can complete your home study within six weeks. It is important that prospective adoptive families gather all the necessary documents and begin the background check process as soon as possible. State background check processing time will vary depending on the state agency's work load. This will contribute to the amount of time it takes to complete your home study. While this part of the process is tedious, it is an important step. You should not begin the search to locate a child without a completed and approved home study.
return to topQ. Why do I need an adoption home study?
A. State laws require prospective adoptive parents to complete a home study before a child can be placed in your home. The social worker must determine that you are ready to become parents emotionally, physically and financially, and they must conclude that your home is a suitable environment for a child to be placed in. Also, many adoption placement agencies will not begin to show your adoptive parent profile to prospective birth mothers until your adoption home study is approved.
return to topQ. Who should complete our adoption home study?
A. 1-800-HOMESTUDY and its affiliate providers have worked with many families who have wasted not only time but also thousands of dollars by hiring unreliable home study coordinators. Many states, adoption agencies and state courts require an adoption home study to be completed by a licensed professional. Also, many professionals do not complete a review with the quality and depth of information that your child placing agency may require. 1-800-HOMESTUDY professionals have the experience and knowledge to complete a home study review that meets industry standards and all 50 state’s requirements. Our professionals’ home study reviews have been approved by programs across the country and our qualified professionals are able to complete the home study much quicker than other agencies.
return to topQ. Before beginning our adoption home study, should we choose our placing agency?
A. You are not required to choose your placing agency before you begin the adoption home study process; however, if you choose an agency before you begin your home study, your social worker will have much more information on what your placing agency requires from a home study review. If you do not choose you placing agency prior to your home study, you may need to redo or update your home study in order to meet the agency’s requirements. This additional home study will be at your expense and will cause your waiting time to increase. Also, some states will require you to complete your home study review through your placing agency if the agency is licensed to complete home studies in your state.
return to topQ. Are all home studies created equally?
A. Due to the large number of organizations that provide home study services there is an enormous difference in the quality of home studies. While each state has the same standards that all agencies/agents are required to follow, there are many items to consider. - Unless approved by the adoption agency you are joining, you should have your home study completed by a licensed adoption agency/agent in the state you reside. Many states and courts only accept home studies from licensed agencies. - The professional you choose should be able to schedule the interviews and complete the home study in a timely fashion, usually within 4 to 8 weeks.
return to topQ. What makes one home study provider better than another?
A. An adoption home study social worker should be chosen carefully. This is the first step in your adoption process and can take the most amount of time to complete. One provider is better than another when you take into account how much time it will take to complete your home study and whether or not your home study meets your adoption agency and state’s requirements. 1-800-HOMESTUDY affiliates understand the different state requirements and are qualified to complete a home study that allows you to adopt a child that was born in another state. If your home study is not completed to another state’s standards, you may not be matched with a birth mother from another state, or you may have to complete another home study at your expense.
return to topQ. How do I know if an adoption home study professional is qualified to perform certain home studies?
A. When choosing an adoption home study social worker, you should ask to see the agency or independent social worker’s license. You should work with licensed professionals who are in good standing with the state regulators and are able to show you a valid license. You can also ask the agency or professional for previous client referrals.
As previously stated, most states require a licensed professional to complete your home study, but there are some states that do not. If you decide to have your home study review completed by a non-licensed professional, you will not be able to adopt a child from a state that does require a licensed professional review without completing a new home study.
return to topQ. How much can an adoption home study cost?
A. Adoption home study costs can vary greatly depending on the state in which you live and the agency/agent you choose to complete your home study. Typically, home studies will charge $800 to $3,000. 1-800-HOMESTUDY professionals provide competitive rates in each state. It is important to evaluate the entire cost of the home study, including updates, post-placement visits and travel fees.
return to topA. 1-800-HomeStudy.com is the definitive resource for adoptive families who are looking for qualified and reliable adoption home study professionals. Our knowledgeable adoption home study affiliates have completed thousands of approved home studies for hopeful adoptive families in every state.
Our home study providers understand the complex, and oftentimes emotional, adoption journey you are about to begin, and they are committed to helping you through the home study process. Because of our dedication to educating adoptive families, we have made available an extensive amount of information on adoption home studies, domestic and international adoption, post-placement visits and state and agency adoption regulations. We look forward to helping you through your first step in building your family.
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