Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-201-6643 | Email

Home Study

What is a home study?
Adoption laws in every state require prospective adoptive parents to complete a pre-adoption assessment usually called a home study. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a licensed child placing agency and is approved to complete home studies for individuals living in Oklahoma.

Adoption Choices of Oklahoma can complete home studies for private, domestic adoptions; adopting from foster care; step-parent adoptions; guardianship adoptions; international non-hague country adoptions (as long as supervised by a HAGUE accredited agency); and surrogacy.

The home study prepares prospective couples for parenting an adopted child. The home study consists of interviews, various documents and paperwork, background clearances, and a home safety check. The interviews allow your caseworker to gather information about you and assess if a stable environment exists for your family to receive an adoptive placement. It is a time when the prospective adoptive parents and the caseworker mutually assess the qualities and behaviors of each family member – parent(s) and previously adopted children and children by birth. The home study is an opportunity to identify potential areas of difficulty and develop a plan prior to the placement of a child. Adverse experiences can be viewed as having contributed to the strengths the family has developed, rather than as deficiencies that make them less than “perfect”.

The home study process at Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is non-judgmental and cooperative. Our caseworkers are trained professionals who are compassionate and understanding, with many years of experience in working with prospective adoptive parents. Several of our caseworkers are themselves adoptive parents. Making the home study experience enjoyable, educational, and positive is of utmost importance, along with helping you discover the unique attributes you bring to parenting an adopted child.

While it is not guaranteed that once you enter the home study process you will be approved for an adoptive placement, the majority of prospective adoptive parents are approved.

Do you provide home studies for couples working with out-of-state adoption agencies for placement, either domestically or internationally?
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a licensed agency in Oklahoma, and we can provide only the services you need to comply with Oklahoma state laws. These services include the application process, the home study, adoption education, and post-placement or post-adoption services. The home study can then be sent to an out-of-state adoption agency; an addendum can be written for a fee if needed to comply with another state’s laws.

We are approved to write international home studies for non-HAGUE countries only when under the supervision of an accredited placing agency.

What types of home studies do you provide?
  • Domestic adoptions
  • International adoptions (non-HAGUE)
  • Designated adoptions (you locate the birth mother on your own)
  • Kinship/Custodial adoptions
  • Adoption from foster care (case by case basis)
  • Embryo adoptions or Gestational Surrogacies
How long does it take to complete the home study?
On average, the home study takes two to three months to complete. You can speed up the process by gathering the required documents, scheduling your medical appointments, and completing your paperwork and fingerprint cards in a timely manner. If a home study is needed sooner, an additional fee is required to expedite the home study.
Post-placement and post-adoption services
Post-placement supervision is required by the state of Oklahoma and all states. It is the period of time between placement of a child with his or her prospective adoptive parents, and the time that the child’s adoption is finalized in court. Oklahoma regulations require post-placement contact at least three times after placement, which takes place within six months after placement. The purpose of post-placement supervision is to gather the information that will be required for the caseworker to prepare written reports. The final report will recommend that the adoption be granted and state that finalization will be in the best interest of the child. Additional post-placement supervision is provided depending on the requirements of your specific adoption.

Post-adoption supervision are also provided for non-HAGUE country international adoptions that are finalized in the child’s country of origin. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma will provide post-adoption visits and reports based on the requirements of the country and/or placement agency.

As we move further into the electronic age, many entities exchange or submit information via email or through other online resources. While we always strive to keep our clients’ information confidential, we don’t always have control over what happens to that information before it reaches us or after it leaves us. You agree that you will hold the agency and its staff harmless from any problem that may develop.

Adoptive Parent Training

As a client with Adoption Choices, you are entitled to Adoption U’s, Adoptive Parent Training course. Adoption professionals from all over the U.S. review each step of the adoption process through short videos and interactive activities.

  • In short training sessions, learn the ins and outs for the most important steps of the adoption process
  • Learn at your own speed to best understand the material
  • Interactive training ensures you are armed with the knowledge you need
  • Quickly find adoption resources
  • Become Adoption U certified Adoptive Parents

From the home study to matching, hospital etiquette, post placement communication and more, we will cover a variety of topics so you are well equipped to become adoptive parents.

Sign Up

Grow Your Family Through Adoption

Pin It on Pinterest