Starting an Adoptive Family:
Getting Started: The Homestudy Checklist
Home Study Check List
In order to complete the Home Study process, the following documents must be submitted to Bright Futures:
- Completed CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) evaluations for each adopting parent and any other adult living in the adoptive home.
- Completed FBI clearance for each adopting parent and any other adult living in the adoptive home.
- Completed Department of Social Service Child Abuse and Neglect Clearance for each adopting parent and any other adult living in the adoptive home.
- Sex Offender Registry Board Clearance for each adopting parent and any other adult living in the adoptive home.
CORI, FBI, DSS and Sex Offender clearance request forms will be provided to you at your first Home Study meeting.
- 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?
- 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 Home Study meeting.
- A Certified Birth Certificate for each adopting parent and each other member of the household.
- A Certified Marriage Certificate and Certified Divorce Decrees, if applicable.
- A completed Financial Ability Form (to be provided by Bright Futures) and a copy of your most recent 1040 Federal Income Tax Form.
- 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.
- Signed Discipline Statement.
The Adoption Process | Getting Started | Services for Adopting Parents