What does a home study involve- my hubby and I are considering adopting?

Question

What does a home study involve- my hubby and I are considering adopting?

Answer 1

Every home study is different.  Yes, the agency wants to make sure you have a place to live (you do not need to own a home some perfectly nice people live in apartments ;).

In our case, my wife and I found that more of the questions were about us and our relationships,  Why do we want children?  Why do we want to adopt?  What is important to us?  How were we were raised?  How do we feel about our spouse? etc.

Answer 2

Basics are:  

1.  Background checks which entails getting fingerprinted at a local poilice department and also another set of prints for the FBI. (for anyone over 18 in the household).  Looking for crimial histories.

2.  Current physicals for everyone in the household.

3.  Referrals from non related friends.

4.  Previous years taxes

5.  Any divorce decrees

6.  Marriage License

7.  Interviews withthe Agency Social Workers.

8.  Visitation from the Agency in your home which requires them to also observe your family.

9.  They need to write it up.  The write up includes information regarding each parent and their parenting styles, how they were brought up, family history,medical history. household information, etc. etc. etc.

10.  Certian amount of training hours.

11.  1500-3000 dependig of the Agency and if post placement visits are included in on the price.

12.  These documents are usually good for 1 year.  If you pass the year mark you will need to get it updated and that is a cost too.

I am sure that I forget some things.  I actually did this from memory.  Each Agency is different with how they complete HomeStudies.  You need to make sure that they are reputable and you agree with how they complete these documents.  Also HOme Studys differ if you are international or domestic.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Answering a lot of questions, they check your home to make sure it is safe, go over paperwork, talk to you and your husband, see where the kid(s) would sleep and see if you have room for the # you want to adopt.  Go over your finances to make sure you can financially support a child.  If you have animals they will want to see them and make sure they are properly cared for as well as making sure they are safe to have around children.

Answer 4

The social worker is going to want to physically see your home to ensure you have enough space for the child---among other things.   The are also going to do background checks on both of you and ask why you want to adopt.

Here is a list of resources to help you in the adoption process.  While there are some minute differences state-by-state, the process is basically the same.

Hope it all helps.

Answer 5

talk to the social worker in charge of your case for specifics.  this is important info.

Answer 6

checking where you live where the baby will live just littel stuff like that they are concerned to see and that is it. sometimes you can see stuff and make a decision but in your cases i am sure you will be ok.

Answer 7

My husband and I are currently going through the adoption process. The home study is but one step in the process. Prior to the home study you will go through several meetings with a social worker at your adoption agency. They will interview you once as a couple. Then they will do an individual interview with each of you. After that they will do the home study.  The home study involves making sure your house is suitable for a child. They want to see that you have enough bedrooms. They also want to view you in your home environment. Don't worry they are not checking for dust or anything but I would keep all rooms and closets organized. In addition to the home study there is lots of paperwork to be filled out and submitted. If you are considering adoption look at adoption agencies in your area and contact them regarding informational seminars or just an informational visit. Good luck. It's a long process but so worth it.

Answer 8

u may doing so when u and your husband are happy