You’re Home Study Step by Step

The Information Gathered During Your Home Study in Arizona is Determined by Regulations & Policies.

Arizona Home Studies Must Be Reviewed & Approved By the Courts.

The State of Arizona requires the following:

  • Your Starr Adoption Services Social Worker must spend a minimum of 4 hours with you face to face, in a minimum of 2 visits

  • A minimum of 2 visits must occur in your home

Adoptive Parents Must Provide The following:

  • Court Issued Birth Certificates (hospital certificates of birth are unable to be accepted)

  • Court Issued Marriage Licenses & Divorce Decrees

  • Previous Year’s Tax Return

  • 2 References from Family Members

  • 3 References from Non-Family Members

  • A Completed Questionnaire Detailing Your Life

  • Department of Child Safety Clearances for everyone age 18+ in your home

  • Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearances for everyone age 18+ in your home

  • Medical Clearances

  • Adam Walsh Clearances (If needed)

Home Study Fees

Creating Your Home Study

Home Study Minimum Requirements in Arizona are defined by Arizona Revised Statues. All home studies require court approval for you to become a certified adoptive parent.

  • Adoptive Parents are required to complete a personal questionnaire. The purpose of the this is to obtain information about each applicant included by not limited to your early life, childhood, adulthood, family dynamics, educational & employment histories, marriages, significant relationships, and more.

    This helps the agency and courts to understand your life past & present

  • All prospective adoptive parents & individuals residing in your home ages 18+ must completed child welfare, state, and federal background checks

  • All household members are required to be assessed by a physician to assess their current medical & mental health. The purpose is to ensure that the Adoptive Parents are able to render care to a child & that there are no medical issues in the home that would be a risk to the child.

  • Financial records are required for all adoptive families to ensure that the family can manage their expenses with their current income & that adding a person to the family would not create financial strain.

    Families are required to provide copies of current paycheck stubs for a full month, tax records for the most recent 3years, bank statements, insurance policies, mortgage/rent payments, bankruptcy records, and etc.

  • Each family must provided a total of 5 persons the agency can contact to obtain a character reference check from. 2 - family members 3 non-family members.

  • Starr Adoption Services will conduct interviews with all household members & will conduct a combination of both joint & individual interviews.

  • The agency will conduct a home safety check on your home to ensure safety standards are met. Please note pool fencing consistent with the Department of Child Safety requirements must be present around your pool.

  • A discussion around your own race & religion and preferences related to teh race/religion of a child you may adopt. Your home study preferences should be consistent with the child you adopt.

  • If you have other children in the home, who are 5+ years of age to participate in the interview process, the agency will interview that child as well. It is standard practice to interview each child in the home to explore their feelings on having an adopted sibling join your family.

  • The State of Arizona requires a copy of your military discharge be provided in applicable.

  • Your dogs must have current rabies vaccination and be licensed.

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