A home study is a required process for every adoption in the state of Georgia. Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc. excels at guiding and supporting you through this process. There are several documents which applicants must obtain during this home study process, some of which include: background clearances, medical clearances, employment verification, birth certificates on all household members, marriage certificate/divorce decree/death certificates, etc. Please see Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc.’s detailed documentation checklist under the GETTING STARTED page for additional requirements of a home study.
All home studies (other than a Home Study Update or Subsequent Home Study) require 3 appointments and the compilation of documents, forms and background checks. One of the three visits with Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc. must be completed in the applicants’ home. In addition, most home studies take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete barring there are no issues with the applicant’s obtaining and promptly submitting documentation requirements. Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc. can work at the pace of the prospective adoptive family since much of the process relies on the speed at which the prospective adoptive family can complete all requirements for the home study process.
Domestic Home Study
A Domestic Home Study is a home study completed on a family who is adopting within the United States of America. In addition to gathering required documents, the home study process is a chance for your social worker to get to know your family on a personal level and educate you on important adoption issues.
Home Study Update
A Home Study Update and updated documentation is needed when your home study expires, or if you have a minor lifestyle change such as a change in residence or a change in career. Please note, that your home study has an expiration date of one year from the date it was signed by your home study agency. A Home Study Update typically requires only one home visit and minimal updated documentation
Subsequent Home Study
A Subsequent Home Study is completed when you have incurred a major change in family composition (i.e. and adopted child is added to your home or you move from another state). Typically, a Subsequent Home Study only requires one home visit and minimal updated documentation.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
An interstate compact, or agreement, that has been enacted into law by all 50 states in the United States, and the District of Columbia, which controls the lawful movement of children from one state to another for the purposes of adoption. Both the originating state, where the child is born, and the receiving state, where the adoptive parents live and where the adoption of the child will take place, must approve the child’s movement in writing before the child can legally leave the originating state. This Compact regulates the interstate movement of both foster children and adoptive children. There are steps that you as an adoptive parent will need to take to streamline the process when adopting a child from another state. An adoptive parent will not be able travel home until they are approved to do so through ICPC.
Embryo Home Study
An Embryo Home Study is often completed the same as a traditional Domestic Home Study, however please check with your Embryo Agency to ensure they do not require additional requirements for the Embryo Home Study (i.e. some embryo adoption providers require extra steps or paperwork). If you are in need of a home study for an embryo adoption, simply ask your adoption provider what items they require as part of their home study process and Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc. will be certain that those steps are completed.
This is a brief introduction of the services provided, please contact us if you have any questions. Adoption Resources & Counseling, Inc. will not discriminate as it pertains to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, gender, marital status, religion, and age.