What is a Home Study?

A Home Study is a written report, completed by a licensed adoption agency in the state of your residence. It usually consists of five or more pages, based on a social worker’s evaluation of you, your family, your living conditions, finances, health status, etc. It includes information on relationships, employment, money management skills, our property and income, parenting skills and interactions with children, description of your neighborhood, information about your childhood, etc. The agency must follow the general regulations of the State of Michigan when conducting a home evaluation. Some agencies will have prospective parents attend one or several group orientation sessions or a series of training classes before they complete an application. Other agencies would provide reading material for you to study on your own. In many cases, agencies would have their social worker start by meeting with family members individually and then ask that they attend educational meetings later on. Usually agency staff members are glad to answer any questions and to guide applicants through the process. In any way, you will be informed about what to expect, regarding the process, fees, and the timeframe.

At least one meeting will occur in the applicant's home. If you adopt internationally, there may be two or more meeting in your home or the agency’s office to comply with the requirements of some foreign countries. If there are other people living in the home, they also will be interviewed by the social worker. 

On average the home study process takes six to either weeks to complete, but it can take longer in some cases. In general, the following information is included in the home study:

• Personal and family background-including upbringing, siblings, key events, and what was learned from them
• Significant people in the lives of the applicants
• Marriage and family relationships
• Reasons for adopting
• Expectations for the child, methods of discipline of children, parenting skills
• Feelings about infertility (if this is an issue), willingness to parent cross-racially or cross-culturally.
• Family environment
• Physical and health history of the applicants
• Education, employment and finances-including insurance coverage and child care plans if needed
• References and criminal background clearances from the State of Michigan
• Summary and social worker's recommendation.

What is an “international” home study?

International Home Study is a family assessment need for your international adoption. It will be presented first to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service along with I-600A form, and later on will be sent abroad to the country of your choice along with other documents, as part of your “international dossier”. An international home study in most cases is different than a domestic home study. International home study has to meet the requirements of three entities: the State of Michigan, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and finally the foreign country you are adopting from, while a domestic home study has to meet a requirement of the state of your residence. A social worker conducting your family assessment has to be familiar with the immigration requirements as well as the foreign government requirements. Different countries have different requirements and expectations. For example, China requires that a social worker conducts four separate interviews with each adoptive family member in their home. Therefore, a home study for China may take longer.

It is important to keep in mind that your "home study agency" may not be your “international adoption agency”. If it's the case, then make sure that both agencies communicate during the home study process.