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- Capacity to give and receive affection
- Ability to provide for a child's physical and emotional needs
- Ability to accept the intrinsic worth of a child
- Ability to risk and share the child’s past
- Ability to understand the impact of the separation and loss that the child has experienced through adoption
- Capacity to have realistic expectations and goals
- Flexibility and ability to change
- Ability to cope with problems, stress and frustration
- Feelings about parenting an adopted child
- Ability to make a commitment to a child placed in the home
- Ability to use community resources
In New York State, home study investigations review the following criteria to determine the eligibility of an individual or couple to be approved as adoptive parents. Please understand that for international adoption, prospective adoptive parents may also need to meet the criteria established by the United State’s Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the federal Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, and criteria required by the country from which they are planning to adopt.
Age of Prospective Adoptive Parents: At least one of the prospective adoptive parents must be at least 18 years old. The individual(s) should have a reasonable expectation to live until the child's majority.
Health of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): Prospective adoptive parents shall be in such physical condition that it is reasonable to expect him/her to live to the child's majority and to have the energy and other abilities needed to fulfill the parental responsibilities.
Marital Status of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The marital status of the prospective adoptive parent(s) is not a factor in the acceptance or rejection as adoptive parent(s). However, one married partner may not adopt without the other. Two unrelated qualified adults (of different or same gender) living together can be approved as adoptive parents. A single person can be approved as an adoptive parent.
Fertility of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): Prospective adoptive parents may not be rejected for adoption because of his, her or their fertility (capacity to have biological children).
Family Composition of the Prospective Adoptive Family: Prospective adoptive parent(s)’ family size and composition is considered as it relates to the ability of a family to care for another child and the quality of life that will be offered to an adoptive child.
The Health and Safety of the Home of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The prospective adoptive parent(s)’ home will be inspected for safety and appropriate space for a child(ren).
Sexual Orientation or Gender of Prospective Adoptive Parents: Prospective adoptive parents may not be discriminated against or rejected as adoptive parents on the basis of sexual orientation or gender.
The Religion of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The religious beliefs of the prospective adoptive parents may not be discriminated against or considered in their approval or disapproval as adoptive parents
The Race of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The race and ethnicity of the prospective adoptive parents may not be discriminated against or considered in their approval or disapproval as adoptive parents.
The Financial Status of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The home study investigator (social worker) considers the prospective adoptive parents’ ability to budget their resources (income, assets, and liabilities) in such a way that a child placed with them can be reasonably assured of minimum standards of nutrition, health, shelter, clothing and other essentials.
Employment and Education of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The employment, education, or volunteer activities of the prospective adoptive parents will be explored during the home study investigation but may not be a factor in the approval or rejection of an individual as an adoptive parent.
The Stability of Employment and/or Residence of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): Prospective adoptive parents with frequent changes in employment and/or residence shall not be rejected as adoptive parents, unless it is determined that such changes reflect an inability to provide for the well-being of a child to be placed in the home.
The Parenting and/or Child Care Experience of the Prospective Adoptive Parents: The home study investigator (social worker) will explore the prospective adoptive parents’ experience as parents or with caring for or educating other children.
The Social Networks and Community Support of the Prospective Adoptive Parents: The prospective adoptive parents’ ability to locate and take advantage of human support (family, friends, church, etc) and organizational resources (e.g. medical services, therapies, educational resources, support groups, etc) to strengthen their capacity as parents will be assessed by the social worker.
The Child Abuse and Maltreatment History of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The home study investigator will acquire child abuse and maltreatment history reports for each prospective adoptive parent and all other adult household members (e.g. adult children, grandparents).
The Vulnerable Persons Abuse or Maltreatment History of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The home study investigator will screen each prospective adoptive parent and all other adult household members (e.g. adult children, grandparents) for the abuse or maltreatment of vulnerable persons (i.e. persons with special needs) through the Vulnerable Persons’ Central Register administered by the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
The Criminal History of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): The home study investigator will acquire state, national, and international criminal history reports for each prospective adoptive parent and all other adult household members (e.g. adult children, grandparents).
Failure to be truthful or fully disclose pertinent information could result in the denial of approval as adoptive parent(s). Furthermore, this duty of candor is an ongoing duty and continues through the finalization of adoption and immigration of child (if applicable). Approved adoptive parents and all adult household members in an approved adoptive home must agree to fully and honestly disclose pertinent information to this agency on an on-going basis during and after their adoptive placement. Failure to be truthful or fully disclose pertinent information could result in the approval as adoptive parent(s) being revoked.
Please understand that the criteria described within this Guide determines the eligibility of an individual or couple to be approved as adoptive parents in New York State. Every state has its own eligibility standards for adoptive parents. If you live outside of New York State, please consult your state’s adoption regulatory agency for information regarding qualifications of adoptive parents.
Family Connections, Inc., an authorized New York State adoption agency, recognizes that every individual and family is unique. Thus if you have specific questions regarding your family’s eligibility to become approved as adoptive parents, please contact our agency at 1-800-535-5556 or info@adoptfamilyconnections.org. We would be happy to explore your qualifications as adoptive parents.
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