How to Pass a Home Study for Adoption
An adoption home study is a thorough investigation into the lives of prospective parents. The exact procedure can vary from state to state, and depending on whether you want to adopt from another country, through a private agency or through your state's foster care system. The majority of home studies are approved, and you can improve your odds for success if you know what to expect and are prepared.
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Instructions
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Tell your home study social worker immediately if there are any criminal issues in your past. Be forthcoming because there is no way to hide them. Several federal laws require criminal background checks of prospective parents, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Many felony convictions will prohibit you from adopting, so your home study will be over before it starts. However, some minor legal problems can be addressed if they are met head-on.
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Clean your home, then clean it again. Have a building inspector come in and check your residence for safety issues. While you don't have to have a bedroom or nursery already set up for a new child, you should have adequate bedroom space, and your home should be clean and welcoming.
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See your doctor for a checkup. Your home study social worker will require you to have a relatively clean bill of health. (Reference 1) This doesn't mean that you can't be under a doctor's care for a certain condition or on medication, but you must prove that it doesn't adversely affect your life expectancy or your ability to care for a child. (Reference 3)
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Clean up your credit report. You don't have to be a millionaire to adopt, but your income should be sufficient to support the child you want to adopt, and you should not be up to your ears in debt. Pay off and close out any excessive credit accounts. A history of skipping out on debts will reduce your chances even more. This is particularly true if you owe any past-due child support for children from another relationship.
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Get past your desperation to adopt, or at least don't let it be all-consuming. One of the most delicate parts of a home study is the interview -- or sometimes several interviews -- with the social worker, who will be trying to ascertain your motivation and the interpersonal dynamics in your home. Factors that can work against you include marital instability, your reasons for wanting to adopt, and fertility issues that you have not yet come to terms with emotionally. All other aspects of a home study are based on facts, but these interviews come down to the subjective opinion of the social worker, so you can't leave him any room for doubt.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask to see a copy of your completed home study before its submission for review so you can make sure it does not contain any refutable errors. The time to address them is now, not after you've been turned down.
References
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