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Home Study Process
What is the adoption home study process? What can you expect from your home study? Read on to learn the most common steps for families doing their home study through Adoptions Together, a program of Paths for Families.
Step 1: Discover Your Adoption Options
Explore our resources to learn about Adoptions Together, a program of Paths for Families, and the options we can offer your family. We are licensed to complete home studies in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. If you currently live outside of these states and are planning to move into the region, please contact our office prior to completing an application.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Sign up for an account using our interactive MyAdoptionPortal, where you will fill out your home study application. Once your application is approved, you can pay the application fee online.
Step 3: Access Your Home Study Documents and Connect With Your Social Worker
Your Home Study Social Worker will contact you to schedule your first meeting to begin your home study. You will begin to complete and submit your documents through your MyAdoptionPortal account. Most of these documents can be electronically uploaded into our secure online portal at your convenience.
Here’s a sample list of home study documents required during the home study process:
- Birth certificates for all
- Statement of net worth and supporting financial documentation
- Three letters of reference
- Medical reports and specialist letters
- Mental health letter, if applicable
- State criminal/FBI clearances for all adults
- Domestic: CPS clearances for current state and previous states in which each adult lived within the last 5 years
- International: CPS clearances for all states and countries in which each adult has lived from the age of 18 years
- Arrest records, if applicable
- Certified copy of driving records
- Home safety checklist
- Child support clearances
- School adjustment report, if applicable
- Training certificates
- Documentation of pet vaccinations/license
- Final adoption decree, if applicable
- Emergency escape plan
- Marriage and divorce decrees
- Guardianship statement
- Autobiographies
- Home study agreement
- Interracial/Cultural openness questionnaires
- Corporal punishment statement
- For Maryland Families:
- Sanitary survey
- Fire department inspection
Step 4: Register and Attend Required Training
Complete all required home study and adoption-specific trainings. We offer many adoption preparation classes online and via live video conveniently scheduled for families through your MyAdoptionPortal account.
Step 5: Pay for Your Home Study
Once all of your documents and tasks have been submitted, you will pay for your home study through our secure online portal. Your Home Study Social Worker will begin drafting your home study and you will schedule your final interviews.
Step 6: Review Your Home Study
Once your social worker has completed the first draft of your home study, they will submit it for review. Once it’s approved, you and your placing agency will have the opportunity to review your home study and edit it before it’s finalized.
Step 7: Home Study Approved!
Your home study is now complete! We will send original copies to you to disperse as needed and will save a final copy of the report in your MyAdoptionPortal account for preservation.
Home Study Homepage
Home Study Costs
International Adoption Home Studies
Next Resource
Foster Care Adoption Process
There are several ways to begin the foster care adoption process. A licensed adoption agency or local department of social services can help you get started. Adoptions Together, a program of Paths for Families, can help you on your foster care adoption journey. Here’s how the foster care adoption process works.