What happens in a home study
Differs by state or province
The home study is the part people dread most and describe
afterwards as the most useful. The caseworker writing it is generally
trying to help you succeed, not looking for a reason to refuse.
What it involves
- Joint and individual interviews. Expect to be asked about your
own childhood, your relationship, how conflict is handled in your
home, and how you were disciplined. - One or more home visits.
- Documentation: identity, income, tenancy or ownership,
sometimes tax forms, pay stubs or W-2s. - Three or four references who are not
relatives. - A physical examination within the previous twelve months for
each prospective parent, and tuberculosis testing for
everyone in the household.
The written report recommends the age range and number of children
the placement would suit. That recommendation shapes what you are
later matched with, which is a good reason to be honest about your
capacity rather than maximising it.
How long it takes
Three to six months is the range AdoptUSKids gives. New
York says generally within four months. Washington reports its whole
licensing process at roughly 120 days.
Canada uses different frameworks, and they are not interchangeable
How to prepare
Gather documents before you start, since waiting on a
medical or a reference is the most common cause of delay. Talk to
your referees first so the request is not a surprise. And answer
questions about difficult parts of your own history straightforwardly:
a considered account of something hard reads far better than an
omission.
Getting the answer for your area
Eligibility, timelines and money are set locally, and
they are finally confirmed by the licensed agency for your state or
province. We can tell you what those rules currently say where you
live, what they will mean in practice for your household, and what
to have ready before you speak to anyone.
Talk to us first. Tell us which state or province you
are in and what you are trying to decide, and we will explain what applies
where you live, what the next step is, and what to expect from it. There is
no cost and no obligation. Contact Foster Care
Adoption Home, or start your application
when you are ready.
Everything on this page is checked against the official source for each
jurisdiction, and those sources are listed below so you can read the wording
for yourself. We would rather you have both: our explanation of what it
means, and the original to confirm it against.
United States. AdoptUSKids publishes a page for every
state, plus DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Cherokee
Nation, naming the responsible agency in each.
Read the state pages.
Canada. There is no national system, so the rules are
published province by province:
- Ontario, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Local body: a children’s aid society.
- British Columbia, Adopt BC Kids, MCFD.
- Alberta, Children and Family Services.
- Quebec, Director of Youth Protection, via the Banque mixte programme.
- Manitoba, Department of Families.
- Saskatchewan, Ministry of Social Services.
- Nova Scotia, Department of Community Services.
If your province is not listed here we have not finished verifying it, and
we would rather say so than guess. Ask us and we will find the current
answer for you. The Adoption Council of Canada
is the national umbrella body, though it is not a regulator.
Sources
- AdoptUSKids, the home study
- AdoptUSKids, getting approved
- New York OCFS, the adoption process
- Washington DCYF, the licensing process
- Ontario, public adoption
- Adopt BC Kids, Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Saskatchewan, planning to adopt
- Nova Scotia, agency adoption
- Quebec, about adoption
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on 20 August 2026. Rules change. If you are making a decision, confirm the detail with the agency responsible for your area.
