Q. What is an adoption home study update?

Q. What are the reasons that we would need to update our home study prior to its expiration?

Q. What documents are needed for an adoption home study update?

Q. What does an adoption home study update cost?

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Q. What is an adoption home study update?

A. An adoption home study update is an additional visit by your home study social worker in the event of a major life change or if your home study will expire before the placement of the child and your final adoption hearing. A major life change could include a residency change or an addition to the members living in your household. Your home study must remain current per your state and agency/agent regulations.

Your adoption home study should be updated once a year, but some states require the home study to be updated more frequently. Speak with your home study provider about your state's regulations on home study updates. If you are still waiting to find a match, you will want to keep your home study valid; otherwise, you may be removed from your agency’s waiting adoptive families list and your profile will no longer be shown to potential birth mothers.

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Q. What are the reasons that we would need to update our home study prior to its expiration?

A. You would need an adoption home study update for the following reasons:

• A major life change has occurred and the information in your home study is no longer correct.
• Your home study will expire before your adoptive placement is finalized. (Usually your home study review is valid from the date the home study social worker signed the document.)
• Your background check and clearances will expire.
• Any other home study supporting documents with expire.

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Q. What documents are needed for an adoption home study update?

A. The documents you will need for a home study update will vary depending on if you are completing an update because of a major life change or you home study is close to expiring. For a yearly update, you will need to provide new background clearances, tax information and physician statements. If you have a change in employment, you will need a new letter of employment. If a new member has been added to your household, you will need a birth certificate and an adoption decree if applicable. Any changes, such as a new health insurance provider, will need to be documented and presented to your home study social worker for your update.

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Q. What does an adoption home study update cost?

A. A home study update will usually cost $400 to $2,000. This varies according to how extensive of an update you are completing, the state in which you live and the agency/agent you have chosen as your home study provider.

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