What is a Home Study?

By Jan Douglas

Are you pregnant and wondering about the adoption process in Arizona? Adoption Choices of Arizona has been guiding women since 2011. We believe that each pregnancy is special and distinctive. We treat you with respect and dignity and ensure you receive the birth mother benefit you need. Our private adoption agency will tailor each adoption plan to meet the expectant mother’s needs. With our adoption home study, we ensure that your baby is placed with the right adoptive family. Whether you are seeking adoption in Chandler or adoption in Yuma, our Arizona adoption agencies can offer adoption help.

If you need adoption help now, please call us at 480-900-5520, text us at 602-922-0408 or visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona.

Steps in the Adoption Process

• Contact Adoption Choices of Arizona
• Schedule an Initial Meeting
• Complete Paperwork
• Pregnancy Care and Support
• Review Family Profiles
• Getting Matched!
• Family Introduction (unless it is a closed adoption)
• Keep in contact with your adoption counselor
• Deciding on Hospital/Birth Plan
• Birth of the child
• Post-placement support and future communications with the adoptive family and child

Details of a Home Study in the Adoption Process

Some concerns of pregnant moms when placing their baby for adoption is around the adoptive family. Adoption Choices of Arizona conscientiously chooses all of the adoptive families. Prospective parents must complete a pre-adoption assessment or home study. The home study includes adoption education and prepares the adoptive parents for parenting. An aspect of the home study is to evaluate the potential adoptive parents’ desire and commitment to adopt. Our trained adoption counselor will meet with all family members. 

A home study, or pre-adoption assessment, takes 4-6 months to complete. It is extensive and includes a background check as well as these items: 

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage License (if applicable)
• Employment/Income Verification
• Health Insurance
• The physical and mental health of the applicant(s)
• A complete social history
• Child abuse clearance
• Social Security Cards or Passports
• Copy of Native American Heritage enrollment (if applicable)
• Photos of your family and home

Adoption Choices of Arizona is a licensed private adoption agency. We have years of experience helping birth mothers through the adoption process. Our adoption counselors are professional, knowledgeable, and, most importantly, gentle and loving. A home study aims to gather information about the adoptive family and assess if a stable environment exists. Our adoption specialists will evaluate each family member. The home study is an opportunity to identify potential areas of difficulty. We can develop a plan before the placement if issues come up in this process. Adverse experiences can often contribute to the strengths of the family. They do not always make the adoptive family less than perfect. 

Is a Home Study Required to Adopt a Child in Arizona?

When a birth mother decides to place a baby for adoption, she can find peace in the home study. A home study is an adoption requirement in Arizona. Arizona law mandates interviews take place with all household members five years and older. These interviews must take place on at least two separate occasions. The law also requires that these interviews are at least four hours of face-to-face contact. If there are regular or seasonal visitors, they may also need to go through the interview process. They may also need to complete paperwork. 

The Final Steps of a Home Study 

Private adoption in Arizona requires the adoption agency to submit a home study and their recommendations to the Superior Court. The court where you reside. The court has up to sixty days to review and certify the study. An adoption certificate will be issued and will remain in effect for eighteen months from the date of issuance. Only if the adoptive family is found acceptable. The adoptive parents can extend the certification for one year with the following conditions: 

• No one has filed an adoption petition.
• No material changes in circumstances have occurred adversely affecting the prospective parents. 

Adoption Choices of Arizona strives to make the certification process positive and smooth. The adoption journey may bring both joy and heartache. Our adoption counselors are trained professionals who are compassionate and understanding. They have many years of experience working with birth mothers and adoptive parents. One of our local agencies can provide adoption help to assist in the adoption journey. We are knowledgeable and skilled and the best adoption agency in Arizona. 

If you are a pregnant woman in Arizona, Adoption Choices of Arizona has offices throughout Arizona:

• Adoption in Yuma
• Adoption in Chandler
• With locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe. 

One of our adoption counselors is always available. We can also meet you somewhere public or private. As a birth mom, you have CHOICES! Adoption choices. We can help you decide if adoption in Arizona is the right choice for you.