I am approved by the Whatcom County
Superior Court to provide Adoption Pre- and Post-Placement Home
Studies.
While most adoption agencies ask that the Home Studies be done
within the agency, there are circumstances where an adoption
is occurring outside an agency. These are generally step-parent
adoptions, relative adoptions, or other adoptions where the
child is well-known to the adoptive parents and may have already
resided with them for an extended time. Washington State Law
requires a home study regardless of the circumstances of the
adoption.
Washington State Law is very specific about what is required
in a home study.
Each home study requires an extensive interview of both parents
and the child (unless very young), an examination of the home,
and background of the parents, and three references.
Supporting paperwork includes: a
criminal background check through the Washington State Patrol;
letters from doctors regarding general health and fitness to
parent; income tax and/or other financial records; a letter
from a mental health provider if the adoptive parent has been
in counseling more recently than three years ago.
