Moving in the middle of your adoption journey? You’ll need a home study update when you relocate, but it doesn’t have to be the hassle you might be imagining.
Understanding what’s actually involved can help you get through this step without losing your mind (or too much time).
Need a home study update after moving? Contact our adoption specialists for answers to your questions so you can keep your adoption on track.
Look, you’ve already been waiting long enough to become parents. We’ll walk you through everything about your adoption home study update after moving.
Do You Need to Update Your Home Study After Moving?
Yes, you do need to update your home study after moving. It’s not optional, and it’s not something agencies made up just to make your life harder.
It’s actually the law—adoption requirements say that professionals need current, accurate info about where you live before they can place a child with you.
Think about it this way: your home study basically tells everyone “yes, these people are ready and safe to parent a child.”
If you’ve moved since that assessment, nobody really knows what your new situation looks like. That’s where the home study update comes in—it’s just making sure your new place meets the same standards as your old one.
Moving affects several parts of your adoption journey, and getting your home study updated is probably the most important thing to tackle first.
What Does an Update to an Adoption Home Study Entail?
So what does an update to an adoption home study entail? Good news—it’s not starting over from scratch. Most of your original paperwork is still good, but there are definitely some home study update requirements you’ll need to handle.
Your social worker will want to see your new place in person. They’ll do a walkthrough to check the basics—working smoke detectors, safe storage for cleaning supplies, general childproofing stuff.
Pretty much the same safety checklist they did at your first home. They’ll also need to update your file with your new address, local emergency contacts, and any changes to who lives in your house.
Depending on your state, you might need fresh background checks or new references from people in your new area.
But here’s the good news—all those interviews you did, your financial stuff, medical records, and character references? Those usually don’t need to be redone unless it’s been a really long time or something major has changed in your life.
Why Home Study Updates Matter for Adoption Approval
Look, we know this feels like just another hoop to jump through when you’re already exhausted from the adoption process. But home study updates actually matter for some pretty important reasons that go way beyond checking boxes.
First, courts won’t finalize your adoption without accurate paperwork. If your home study says you live at 123 Old Street but you actually live at 456 New Avenue, that’s going to create problems that could delay everything. Nobody wants that.
If you’re doing an interstate adoption, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) requires that everything be current and reflect where you currently live. It’s the legal framework that lets kids be placed across state lines.
This home study update can be a chance to show that you’re in an even better position to welcome your child home.
When a New Home Study May be Needed: Moving Across State Lines
Each state has its own adoption laws, which means you’ll need a new home study done by someone licensed in your new state, not just an update to your old one.
Some states are stricter about background checks, some want different references, and some have totally different timelines for getting things done.
But here’s the thing—every state wants the same basic outcome. They want to make sure you’re ready to be great parents and that your home is safe for a child. The details might be different, but the goal is the same.
American Adoptions is licensed in many states, so we can help you figure out exactly what your new state requires or help connect you with a provider in your area.
Ready to learn about home study update requirements where you live now? Check out what your specific state needs so you know what to expect.
How Long Does It Take to Update a Home Study?
Here’s what you really want to know—how long is this going to take? An adoption home study update usually takes anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.
In-state moves are typically faster since you’re just updating existing paperwork. Interstate moves take longer because you’re basically starting fresh with a new state’s requirements.
A few things can speed up or slow down your timeline.
If you moved somewhere with really slow background check processing, that could add time. If your social worker is super busy or you need to make some safety updates to your new home first, that affects timing too.
Want to stay on the shorter end of that timeline? Get organized.
Start gathering documents right away, schedule your home visit as soon as possible, and tackle any safety stuff immediately. Most families who stay on top of things get done closer to that 2-week mark.
How Much Does a Home Study Update Cost?
Home study update costs are all over the place—anywhere from $500 to $2,000. It depends on where you moved, how complex your situation is, and how your agency structures their fees.
In-state moves usually cost less than moving to a different state. Makes sense since there’s less work involved.
Some agencies charge a flat fee for updates, others bill by the hour. Interstate moves often cost more because you might need that whole new home study instead of just an update.
The best advice? Ask about costs upfront so you’re not surprised later.
Some agencies will work with you on payment plans, especially if you’re updating because life happened, not because you chose to move during adoption.
What If You Don’t Update?
Let’s be real—what happens if you just don’t update your home study? Nothing good. You literally cannot move forward with your adoption until this is done. Doesn’t matter how ready you feel or how long you’ve been waiting.
Courts won’t finalize adoptions without current paperwork. Birth mothers and their attorneys need to know your living situation meets current legal standards.
Without an updated home study, you’re basically stuck in legal limbo, which costs you both time and money to fix later.
Here’s the frustrating part—the longer you wait, the more complicated your update might become. You might need additional documentation or assessments that you could have avoided if you’d just tackled it right away.
How American Adoptions Can Help You Update Quickly
We get that moving during adoption feels overwhelming. You’re already dealing with boxes, new schools, maybe new jobs—and now this. But you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
American Adoptions provides home study services in tons of states, and if we don’t cover your area, we’ll connect you with someone great who does.
We’ll give you clear checklists, realistic timelines, and support throughout the whole process.
We know you’ve been waiting long enough to become parents, and we’re committed to helping you complete your adoption home study update quickly and successfully.
What if you could get your home study update done faster than you think and finally get back on track? Schedule a consultation today to learn how our process can help you move forward with confidence instead of stress.
