Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the home study process typically take?
The length of time it takes for your homestudy to be complete largely depends on you! You will need to complete some forms, collect some documents and provide these to us in order for us to be able to make a complete assessment of your home and family. We will also need to schedule home vists for you with one of our social workers to do your homestudy assessment. Typically, we have found families can take 6-8 weeks to complete a homestudy if they are motivated.
Why would I need a homestudy agency and a separate placement agency?
Some families may want to adopt a child through an agency which is not headquartered in California or with an agency that completes placement of children, but not homestudies. If you live in California, Partners for Adoption can complete a homestudy that can be used to adopt a child with almost any placement agency. If you are planning on adopting from Ukraine, Partners for Adoption can assist you with your placement no matter where in the United States you live.
How will I know the status of my homestudy?
Throughout your homestudy you will be working closely with your Social Worker. Your assigned Social Worker will keep you apprised of each step needed in the homestudy, from fingerprinting to submission of documents to local immigration offices. You may also always contact our headquarters regarding your homestudy and one of our Adoption Consultants or the Director of Social Services can also update you on the status of your homestudy at any time.
What qualifications do the Partners social workers have?
All Partners for Adoption Social Workers have a Masters Degree in Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy license with specialized experience in adoption. Many of our Social Workers are also licensed as Clinical Social Workers in the State of California. Additionally, many of our Social Workers have adopted children themselves and bring a special, personal experience to their work.
Who will see my homestudy after it is completed?
Your homestudy will be sent to local immigration offices which provide the final approval for you to bring an orphan into the United States. Your homestudy will also be sent directly to you for your inclusion in your foreign "dossier" (formal papers required by the placement country) which need to go to your chosen adoption placement agency.
What happens if I change the country from which I am going to adopt after my homestudy is completed?
Partners for Adoption will work with you to notify your local immigration office to request your approval be changed to the country you choose.