California International Adoption Home Study

Completing your international adoption home study is an important step on your journey to becoming a family, and we can help.

Part of any hopeful adoptive parent’s journey is completing the home study. And there are two main ways a home study can go:

• It can be a stressful experience that feels overwhelming, rushed and uncertain.
• Or, it can be a positive experience, where you feel prepared, confident and hopeful.

If you want to experience the latter rather than the former you can contact us online today. We are a Hague-accredited international home study provider, which means you can take this important step in your adoption process with our help.

You can also continue reading to learn about the four steps for the international adoption home study in California.

What is the Home Study for International Adoption?

The purpose of the home study for international adoption is to ensure that your home is safe to raise a child in and that you are ready to become a parent. Although the home study can seem overwhelming at first glance, FCCA can guide you through each step.

Who Can Complete the International Adoption Home Study in California?

You will need to work with a Hague-approved international adoption home study organization to complete this step of the adoption process. Luckily, FCCA can provide international and domestic home studies for hopeful adoptive parents like you.

Even if you are using another child referral agency, we can still coordinate your international adoption home study for you. Along the way, we will offer training, guidance and suggestions to create as positive a home environment as possible for your future child.

The 4 Steps of the Home Study for International Adoption in California

Here are the four steps of the home study for international adoption so that you know what to expect.

Step 1: Find an International Adoption Home Study Provider

The first step of anyone’s home study process is finding a provider. Here at FCCA, a licensed social worker can facilitate everything you need for your home study. As an agency with Hague accreditation, we are qualified to complete your home study if you are adopting from a country that is part of the Hague Adoption Convention.

Even if you choose not to work with FCCA, you must work with a Hague-certified agency for any international adoption home study in California.

Step 2: Complete the International Adoption Home Study Application

When you’re pursuing international adoption, you will have to fill out your fair share of paperwork. The home study for international adoption comes with its own unique forms that you will need to complete.

One of the best ways you can prepare for success is by taking proactive steps right now. Start gathering important documents, such as:

• Medical records
• Tax records
• Proof of income
• Marriage and/or divorce certificate(s)
• And more

Your home visit will be here before you know it. Getting your documents in order ahead of time will make the whole process much less stressful.

Step 3: Complete the Interviews and Home Inspection

After you have completed the international adoption home study application, you will have in-person interviews with your social worker. All adults who live in the home will need to be interviewed and complete background checks.

These interviews will explore your:

• Reasons for choosing international adoption
• Parenting philosophy
• Hobbies and interests

Your social worker will also inspect the home to make sure that it is a safe environment for a child to grow up in. This may sound stressful, but they are simply making sure that it’s child-proof and that there is nothing dangerous the child could get into. If anything, this can be helpful!

Step 4: Complete the International Adoption Home Study Report

Now, all that’s left to do is for the social worker to write a report of the home study for international adoption. This report is government- and court-mandated to make sure that the international adoption is legal, fair and ethical. You will have a chance to look over this report and corroborate all the information included in it.

How Is the Home Study for International Adoption Different?

Each type of adoption has its own home study requirements. There are a few key characteristics that make the international adoption home study different, like:

• Extra training: Hague-certified countries require an additional 10 hours of training for hopeful adoptive families. This training covers subjects that domestic adoption training does not, such as raising children with disabilities or attachment issues.
• Preparation for children with behavioral needs: Many children adopted internationally have experienced some kind of traumatic event. As a result of this trauma, they may have certain behavioral needs that are addressed in a home study for international adoption.
• Specific financial information: A home study for domestic adoption often does not require a detailed review of your finances, but other countries might. Depending on where you adopt from, you may need to provide a notarized letter from an employer that verifies your employment status, salary, benefits and more. Most countries also require a notarized statement of your net worth.

Start Your International Adoption Home Study

When you work with FCCA, our international adoption home study cost is more or less $2,200. Whenever you’re ready to get started, you can fill out our online contact form to get more adoption information now. Our trusted team can help you at any time.