Also known as a pre-placement report, a home study is an evaluation of the prospective adoptive parents. The process for preparing this report includes a home visit, interviews with all family members, a home inspection, and the gathering of supporting documents (see the list below). In addition, a minimum of 10 hours of adoption education is required for domestic adoption home studies. A Center for Adoption Services also views this process as an opportunity to prepare adoptive parents for the adoption journey.
Home studies — and many of their supporting documents — are time-sensitive and require completion in a timely fashion. On average, the home study process takes one to two months, a timetable often dictated by clients’ ability to prepare and submit all of the supporting documents. All ACFAS home studies are Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) compliant and issued through a child-placing agency.
ACFAS takes pride in completing adoption home studies in a timely and organized fashion. We view our role as a home study provider as that of an advocate and collaborator during the adoption journey. We love providing home studies and post-placement services, which are our areas of specialization.
Required Home Study Supporting Documentation
* indicates forms that can be downloaded (below)
- ACFAS Home Study Agreement*
- 10 hours of Adoption Education through placing agency, Creating a Family or Adoption Learning Partners
- Adoption Information / Biographical Information*
- Adoptive Applicant Medical Report*
- Child Abuse Clearances from every state/country for past 5 consecutive years (Adam Walsh Act)*
- Child’s Medical Report*
- Disclosure of Prior Arrest History / CPS Involvement
- Copy of Birth Certificates for all family members
- Copy of Divorce Decree (if applicable)
- Copy of Driver’s License
- Copy of Marriage License
- Employment Verification
- FBI clearances (www.Fieldprint.com)
- Federal Income Tax Return- 1040
- Financial Statement*
- Guardianship Information
- Military Discharge (if applicable)
- Pet Vaccinations (if applicable)
- Prior Adoption Home Study / Foster License/ Post Placement Reports (if applicable)
- Reference Letters (five)
- Release of Information*
- Statement of Confidentiality*
- Verification of Insurance
- WA Child Abuse – CAN Signature Page*
- State Criminal Background Check (Washington State Patrol Clearance)
Forms for Home Study
Please download, print, and fill out these forms. Hard copies of the completed forms can be delivered during the home study visit. (All documents are in PDF format unless otherwise indicated.)
- ACFAS Home Study Agreement
- Address History
- Autobiographical Information — PDF or Word
- Financial Statement
- Home Safety Checklist
- Medical Report: Adoptive Applicant
- Medical Report: Child
- Release of Information
- Statement of Confidentiality
- WA Child Abuse and Neglect Findings Request
Form for Post-Placement Visit
Required Information for Post-Placement Visit
- Birth Name
- Adopted Name
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth
- Name of Hospital
- Height and Weight at Birth
- Current Height and Weight
- Status of Biological Parents
- Health of Child
- List any Medical Concerns
- Last Appointment with Pediatrician / Next Appointment with Pediatrician/Other
- Describe Post Placement / Post Adoption Contact Schedule