Why you need a home study. . .

If you made a decision to adopt in the United States or abroad, you and your family have to be “approved” to do so through a home study. The laws of every state in the United States require that the prospective adoptive families undergo a "home study" or “family assessment” for any kind of adoption, domestic or international. Home study is conducted either by a licensed adoption agency or a licensed social worker.

If you adopt in the United States, your home study is needed to begin the adoption process and then finalize your adoption in the court. If you adopt abroad, your home study is going to be presented first to the US CIS, and then to a foreign court of the country of your choice. International home study is one of the "dossier document" you collect per specific requirements of the country you are adopting from. There may be country specific requirements that your social worker have to take into consideration when preparing your home study.

The Home Study process involves gathering of information about the prospective parents and educating the family about the adoption realities.