Starting
an Adoptive Family:
Getting Started: The Homestudy Checklist
Homestudy Check List In order to complete the homestudy process,
the following documents must be submitted to Bright Futures:
1. Completed CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) evaluations
for each adopting parent and any other adult living in the adoptive
home. CORI request forms will be provided to you at your first
homestudy meeting.
2. Completed Department of Social Service Child Abuse and Neglect
Clearance for each adopting parent and any other adult living
in the adoptive home. Appropriate clearance request forms will
be provided to you at your first homestudy meeting.
3. Three written references from people who are not relatives.
Each reference should answer at least the following questions:
a. How do you know and how long have you known the adopting
parents?
b. How would you describe the adopting parents' relationship
with each other (if applicable)?
c. Have you seen the adopting parent(s)' interact with children?
If so, what have you observed?
d. Do you believe the adopting parent(s) are prepared to be
adoptive parents?
e. What do you believe the adopting parent(s) can offer to a
child?
4. A written statement from a licensed physician regarding the
health of each adopting parent and each other member of the household.
Medical history forms will be provided to you at your first homestudy
meeting.
5. A Certified Birth Certificate for each adopting parent and
each other member of the household.
6. A Certified Marriage Certificate and Certified Divorce Decrees,
if applicable.
7. A completed Financial Ability Form (to be provided by Bright
Futures) and a copy of your most recent 1040 Federal Income Tax
Form.
8. Autobiographies written by each of the adopting parent(s).
Each autobiography should describe who you are, where you came
from and how you arrived at this juncture in your life. Please
include at a minimum: a description of your family, what your
life as a child, teenager and young adult was like, where you
went to school, what you like to do, what your parents do/did
for a living, your family dynamics, how you were disciplined,
whether (and how, if applicable) religion has played a part in
your life, your career to date, how you met your spouse/partner
(if applicable) and how you came to the decision to adopt a child.
