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Your Home Study Made Simple

Collecting Everything You Need

The home study is more than paperwork; it’s what allows you to move forward with your adoption. American Adoptions has simplified this process, helping families complete their home study faster and more confidently while meeting every requirement for approval in all 50 states.

With many other agencies, home studies can be overwhelming: forms pile up, some agencies have months-long backlogs, and minor compliance issues can lead to ICPC or court delays. You don’t need that.

Your 3-step plan

1. Less paperwork.

We remove redundant steps and give you clean, easy-to-follow online checklists with one-on-one guidance. You complete about 35% fewer forms, upload documents securely, and see your progress at a glance.

When you work with American Adoptions, you get a free online account that serves as your hub for all things adoption. That includes the easy management of home study documents to help you complete this crucial step quickly without risk of missing important details.

2. Home visit, made easy.

A licensed social worker conducts supportive interviews, completes your in-home review, and offers practical safety suggestions—answering questions and making sure nothing critical is missed. These steps help you get more prepared for requirements in any state.

3. Approved—and ready anywhere.

We run a 50-state and ICPC readiness review and package your report the way attorneys, courts, and receiving states expect. You can pursue opportunities across state lines without starting over—and you minimize the chance of post-placement delays when you’re ready to head home.

Preventing Delays 

"Our first provider missed state-specific details. We had to stay two extra weeks while the report was revised. The next time, we chose a team that pre-checked everything needed for the state, and it made all the difference."

- A. Lewis, Adoptive Family

Why This Matters

Paperwork overload, scheduling backlogs, and one-state templates often trigger rewrites, re-inspections, and ICPC delays. We help you avoid those by:

  • Completing a 50-state/ICPC readiness review before submission
  • Trimming ~35% of redundant forms with guided checklists
  • Proactively scheduling visits and reviews to keep your timeline moving

Fewer forms. Fewer surprises. Approvals that move when they need to—so you can focus on preparing for your child.

The Home Study Process: What to Expect (and How We Make Each Step Easier)

  • Initial consultation
    What happens: We map your timeline, assign your licensed social worker, and outline exactly what’s needed.
    Your advantage: Clear plan from day one. No guessing, no wasted steps.
  • Background checks
    What happens: We guide fingerprinting and records submissions, with reminders so nothing slips.
    Your advantage: Faster clearance and fewer back-and-forth emails.
  • Personalized Support from Start to Finish
    You’ll get clear checklists, examples, and a secure upload system that reduces paperwork by about 35%. A licensed social worker will guide supportive interviews and a home review, offering practical safety suggestions and helping you feel calm, confident, and fully prepared every step of the way.
  • Final report and approval
    What happens: We complete a 50-state and ICPC readiness review and package the report the way attorneys, courts, and receiving states expect.
    Your advantage: Approved and ready anywhere, without starting over across state lines.

After approval, we provide ongoing support, guidance on renewals/updates if timelines shift and coordinate with your broader adoption plan.

The advantage for you: You stay eligible and prepared when the right opportunity appears.

Next Step:

Ready to start the process? Our team can walk you through what to expect—and how to get approved efficiently and confidently.

Start Your
Home Study

 

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to retain our own attorney?

No, American Adoptions has established relationships with some of the best adoption attorneys in the nation. Because adoption laws vary from state to state and between counties, it is important to utilize the services of an adoption attorney who specializes in the state where the adoption will finalize, which is unknown until you match with an expectant mother. You have the right to retain your own attorney, but doing so may be an additional, unnecessary expense.

Can we choose the gender of our baby?

American Adoptions does not allow gender specificity in adoption. Any family who wishes to be gender-specific in their adoption should contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION and ask about the possibility of an exception waiver before taking any other steps toward adoption with our agency. Any families who do receive an exception to be gender-specific may also incur an additional fee, which helps cover the additional advertising costs of such a request.

Please note that gender specificity will likely increase your wait time significantly.

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