---
title: Home Study Services - Who Needs a Home Study?
description: Any individual or couple who  wishes to adopt a child (domestically or internationally) must complete a home study investigation.
image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/file-18152838-jpg/images/waiting-families.jpg
---

![holding-hands-918990_960_720-2](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg?width=959&name=holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg "holding-hands-918990_960_720-2")

# Family Connections, Inc. Blog

#### Let us help you.

# [Home Study Services - Who Needs a Home Study?](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/262664/Home-Study-Services-Who-Needs-a-Home-Study)

![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg)

### Categories

- [adopt a child (88)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopt-a-child)
- [adoptees (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptees)
- [adopting older children (6)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-older-children)
- [adopting the older child (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-the-older-child)
- [adoption (230)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption)
- [adoption attorneys (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-attorneys)
- [adoption choices (71)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-choices)
- [adoption costs (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-costs)
- [adoption dossier (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-dossier)
- [adoption from foster care (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-from-foster-care)
- [adoption help (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-help)
- [adoption information (49)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-information)
- [adoption law (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-law)
- [adoption options (73)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-options)
- [adoption paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-paperwork)
- [adoption profile (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-profile)
- [adoption questions (17)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-questions)
- [adoption resources (24)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-resources)
- [adoption services (97)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-services)
- [adoption support (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-support)
- [adoptive families (43)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-families)
- [adoptive family (40)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-family)
- [adoptive parent (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parent)
- [adoptive parents (13)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parents)
- [affording adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/affording-adoption)
- [Belize Adoption (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/belize-adoption)
- [Binghamton (36)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/binghamton)
- [birth families (15)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-families)
- [birth family (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-family)
- [birth mother (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-mother)
- [birth parent (72)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-parent)
- [Bulgaria Adoption (10)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/bulgaria-adoption)
- [creating a profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/creating-a-profile)
- [domestic adoption (106)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/domestic-adoption)
- [expedited (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/expedited)
- [families waiting to adopt (20)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/families-waiting-to-adopt)
- [Family Connections, Inc. (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/family-connections-inc)
- [family profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/family-profile)
- [foreign adoption (38)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/foreign-adoption)
- [Hague Accredited Adoption Agency (41)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/hague-accredited-adoption-agency)
- [home study services (77)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/home-study-services)
- [home study services for international adoption (60)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/home-study-services-for-international-adoption)
- [home visit (8)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/home-visit)
- [Honduras adoption (7)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/honduras-adoption)
- [how to afford adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/how-to-afford-adoption)
- [Hungary (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/hungary)
- [Hungary adoption (8)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/hungary-adoption)
- [in a hurry (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/in-a-hurry)
- [international adoption (117)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/international-adoption)
- [international adoption dossier (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/international-adoption-dossier)
- [Jamaica adoption (4)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/jamaica-adoption)
- [medical needs of adopted children (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/medical-needs-of-adopted-children)
- [new york state adoption (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/new-york-state-adoption)
- [open adoption (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/open-adoption)
- [Pakistan adoption (8)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/pakistan-adoption)
- [paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/paperwork)
- [positve adoption language (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/positve-adoption-language)
- [post adoption contact agreements (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/post-adoption-contact-agreements)
- [post adoption supervision (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/post-adoption-supervision)
- [pregnancy help (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/pregnancy-help)
- [primary providers (7)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/primary-providers)
- [public foster care (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/public-foster-care)
- [questions (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/questions)
- [Rochester (38)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/rochester)
- [school (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/school)
- [social worker home visit (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/social-worker-home-visit)
- [Syracuse (51)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/syracuse)
- [tax credit (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/tax-credit)
- [transition (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/transition)
- [Ukraine adoption (8)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/ukraine-adoption)
- [unplanned pregnancy (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/unplanned-pregnancy)
- [what is a home study (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/what-is-a-home-study)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Popular Stories

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-reference-letters-for-adoption>

[Writing Adoption Reference Letters](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-reference-letters-for-adoption) Aug 18, 2015

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/what-names-do-you-put-in-the-aka-or-alias-section-of-forms>

[What Names Do You Put In The Aka Or Alias Section Of Forms?](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/what-names-do-you-put-in-the-aka-or-alias-section-of-forms) Mar 22, 2016

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-adoption-reference-letters-tips-and-examples>

[Writing Adoption Reference Letters: Tips and Examples](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-adoption-reference-letters-tips-and-examples) Jan 23, 2024

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-reference-letters-how-to>

[Adoption Reference Letters - How To](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-reference-letters-how-to) Dec 18, 2015

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/common-terms-in-adoption>

[Common Terms in Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/common-terms-in-adoption) May 17, 2016

 Categories | Subscribe | Populars

- **
- [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F262664%2FHome-Study-Services-Who-Needs-a-Home-Study)
- [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F262664%2FHome-Study-Services-Who-Needs-a-Home-Study)
- [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/262664/Home-Study-Services-Who-Needs-a-Home-Study)
- [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F262664%2FHome-Study-Services-Who-Needs-a-Home-Study)

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/author/renee-hettich>  Written by Renee Hettich  
 on January 26, 2013

![home-study](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/file-18152838-jpg/images/waiting-families.jpg?width=185&height=81&name=waiting-families.jpg)  

**Who Needs to Complete a Home Study?**

 

Any individual or couple who [wishes to adopt a child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) (birth through 21 years domestically; birth through 16 years internationally) must successfully complete a [home study investigation](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/home-study-services/) and be approved as an adoptive parent(s).  Persons intending to adopt a child through any of the following adoption processes must have a home study investigation conducted:

 

- **Kinship Adoption **- The adoption of child who is biologically related to the prospective adoptive parent(s) (e.g. niece, nephew, grandchild) in the United States or in a foreign country.

 

- **Step-Parent Adoption** -  The adoption of the child(ren) of his/her spouse.

 

- **Second Parent Adoption** - The adoption of the child(ren) of his/her life partner.

 

- **Foster Care Adoption** – The adoption of a child(ren) who is the prospective adoptive family’s foster child(ren) and whose birth parents rights have been terminated by the court. 

 

- **Public Domestic System Adoption** – The adoption of a child(ren) who is in the care of the foster care system whose birth parents rights have been terminated by the court and whose foster parents do not wish to adopt him/her.

 

- **[Private Domestic Agency Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-adoptions/)** –  The adoption of a baby with the support and  guidance of an authorized/licensed adoption agency.  The birth parent(s) voluntarily surrender their custodial rights to the adoption agency who then provides the adoptive parents with physical custody of the child. The adoptive family receives legal custodial rights to the child upon adoption finalization in the courts.

 

- **Private Domestic Independent Adoption** – The adoption of a baby privately through an agreement between a birth parent(s) and adoptive family. The adoptive family matches with a birth family by themselves and makes arrangements for the adoption with private attorneys. The birth parent(s) voluntarily surrender their custodial rights to the child and the adoptive family is granted guardianship.

 

- **[International (aka Inter-country) Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoptions/)** – The adoption of a child(ren) from a foreign country.  All international children qualify for adoption as orphans.

 

Family Connections, Inc., is an authorized New York State Adoption Agency that has been providing home study investigation services for all types of adoptive families since 1994.  The agency would welcome the opportunity to support your family as you complete your home study investigation.  Please contact our agency at 607-756-6574 or 1-800-535-5556 or renee@adoptfamilyconnections.  We look forward to supporting your home study needs.

 

[![Created on 04/16/12 at 22:42:19](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/53c3cc85-b5c5-423c-9ae6-28329b1a1030.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/53c3cc85-b5c5-423c-9ae6-28329b1a1030)

![Subscribe](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/99%20Template%20Pack/Background%20Images/message.svg "Subscribe")

### Subscribe to Stay Connected

### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post.

Put your Comment Below.

### You may also like:

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect>

## [Adoption Home Study Visit and What to Expect](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect)

Understand and prepare for your adoption home study visit to ensure a smooth adoption process.

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect>

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference>

## [Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption: Understanding the Difference](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference)

What is the difference between open and closed adoptions ?

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference>

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids>

## [Ways to Discuss Adoption with Your Child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids)

Discover effective strategies for sharing the story of adoption with your children, ensuring a nurturing and open family...

<https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids>

![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg)

## Subscribe to Stay Connected

There is always more to learn when it comes to adoption!

### Subscribe to Email Updates

 

 [I'm Pregnant](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/) / [Waiting Families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/) / [I Want to Adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) / [Resources](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/resources/) / [Our Staff](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/our-staff/) / [Contact Us](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/contact-us/) / [Blog](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/)

 

 Call Today!  607-756-6574

 

© 2019 Family Connections, Inc.  
All Rights Reserved.   
P.O. Box 5555 156 Port Watson St. Cortland New York 13045