An adoption home study can seem overwhelming just from the title. While it’s commonly thought that a home study means proving that you live like Martha Stewart, the purpose is actually to document your home life and family background. Your social worker is on your side – they want you to be successful in your adoption just as much as you do. Consider your adoption worker as another helpful tool in your adventure to welcome the newest member of your family. 

A home study consists of three primary parts:

• Interviews

• Documentation

• Home visits

This article is going to discuss how to prepare for each aspect of the home study as you embark upon your adoptive journey.

Interviews

Interviews are an important part of the adoption process. You don’t need to have every answer immediately available; it’s okay to say that you need to look into the questions asked of you to provide complete information. However, preparing beforehand to the best of your availability can speed up the process tremendously. 

Your social worker will ask questions about:

• Current and past relationships

• Parenting abilities and expectations

• Your health and the health of your family

• Criminal history

• Financial status and career

• Community support from friends and family

• Your home environment

It’s important to be completely honest, as intentionally forgoing information that is revealed from other sources – or the criminal and background checks that are required in the process– is an adequate reason to fail your home study. 

Documentation

A lot of documentation is needed to fulfill the requirements of the home study. Each state and agency may have different requirements, but be prepared to have on hand (or fill out):

• A thorough adoption application form

• Documentation of your relationship, such as a marriage license

• Identification

• Health records or statements from your doctor

• Statements from any counselors or mental health professionals visited

• Paystubs or income/employment statements

• Credit history or other information on your estate, including your debts

• Contact information for multiple family members and character references

• Letters of reference from employers or other reliable sources

• Photos of yourself, members of your family and pets, and your home

• Your diploma or college degree

• A letter from your veterinarian or other pet records

Home visits

Home visits are the part of the home study that people dread – but your social worker is not there to inspect every grain of dust in your living room. They are there to see that the child placed will have a healthy, safe, relatively clean environment. Brand new furnishings are not required; a well-taken care of home with lots of loving wear will do just fine. 

To prepare for a home visit, the best thing you can do is to maintain a relatively clean environment. Not every toy needs to be put away, just keep your home swept, mopped, and dusted as often as is necessary. If you are considering adopting younger children, implementing some basic child protection practices may not be a bad idea.

While the home study can seem daunting, everybody in the process is rooting for you to succeed in welcoming a new addition to your family. Knowing what information you’ll need to prepare and have on hand before the time comes is the first step in getting the go-ahead.