Q. What is an adoption Home Study?
A. The home study is a document describing in detail who you are, where you come from, and why you want to adopt. The home study is composed of many items. For example, interviews with the applicants, questionnaires, background checks, reference letters, and many more. The home study is an overview of your life and your home.
Q. How long will a home study take?
A. The time it takes to conduct a home study varies. The longest phase of the home study process is waiting for State and Federal clearances to come in. We have no control over the background screening process. The rest of the wait is up to each family. The sooner you get your documents to the Agency, the sooner your home study will be complete. The home study process usually takes three to four months. Please keep in mind that if the FBI or State clearances come back with a problem, the process might take a little longer as we need to take the extra step of receiving approval from the State.
Q. How much does a home study cost?
A.
Nevada:
A domestic home study is $1,900 and an international home study is $2,500.
Utah:
A domestic home study is $1,195. A Non-Hague international home study is $1,195 and a international Hague home study is $1,395.
Q. What other fees are there?
A. We have a $30 fee for every overnight mailing we have to send out. When your fingerprints are submitted they are sent overnight. When your home study is final, original copies are sent overnight to your primary adoption agency and to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). These fees add up to $90.00 for overnight shipments. You will need to submit a $51.25 cashier’s check or money order for every person submitting fingerprints. The fee for the online courses required of all adoptive parents will range from $35 to $149.
Q. How will the children in our family be involved in the home study?
A. The social worker will interview the children and ask them questions regarding how they feel about the adoption, what their interests are, how they do in school, and how they are disciplined.
Q. Who should complete our home study?
A. The State of Nevada requires a licensed social worker with a licensed agency to conduct your home study.
Q. When should we start our home study?
A. The home study is the first step in the adoption process. If you are ready to begin the adoption process you should begin the home study as soon as possible. The home study process can take from two to four months to finalize.
Q. When does my home study expire?
A. In Nevada and Utah a home study is good for one year if you have not been placed with a child.
Q. What are reasons we would need to update our home study prior to expiration?
A. An update before your home study expires will be required in the event of any major life changing situation. Some examples are: moving to a new home, employment change, an addition to the family home, a new child or family member in the home, and many more. If you are unsure if the new change in your life requires a home study update, contact your home study agency. It is important to remember that you have a “duty to disclose” any pertinent information to your adoption agency and that failure to disclose important information can result in a home study denial or a denial from USCIS.
Q. How much will a home study update cost?
A. The fee for a home study update is:
Nevada: $1,100.
Utah: $650
Q. What are post placement reports?
A. Post placement visits are visits made by the social worker after a child has been placed in the home. These visits are made to determine how you and your child are adjusting. The number of visits varies according to your state of residence. If doing an international adoption all countries have different post placement regulations. You need to check with your adoption agency on that country’s requirements. If you are completing your adoption in the State of Nevada you will need six monthly post placement visits before being able to finalize.
Q. How much are post placement (PP) visits?
A. The fee for post placement visits depends on the type of adoption.
Nevada:
Domestic post placement is $300 per visit. International post placement is $600 per visit, with the number of visits determined by the country from which the child came.
Utah:
Domestic post placement visits is $200 per visit. International post placement is also $200 per visit, with the number of visits determined by the country from which the child was adopted from.
Q. What is the difference between a domestic and international home study?
A. A domestic home study needs to meet the home study standards for your state and an international home study needs to meet US Immigration standards along with the standards of the country from which you are planning to adopt.
Q. My adoption agency is requesting the same document as you and they need originals. Will a copy be acceptable for you?
A. Your adoption agency will require many of the same documents we request. For example; medical records, employment letters, reference letters, etc. We will not accept copies. Make sure you get two or more originals of the documents required by both agencies.
