--- title: If you live in New York, who can do your Home Study? description: You have a few choices on who can complete your New York State home study. A lot depends on what type of adoption you are pursuing. So who can do your home study? image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/who%20can%20do%20your%20home%20study%20in%20new%20york%20state.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. # [If you live in New York, who can do your Home Study?](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/who_can_do_your_new_york_state_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. 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** - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwho_can_do_your_new_york_state_home_study) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwho_can_do_your_new_york_state_home_study) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/who_can_do_your_new_york_state_home_study) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwho_can_do_your_new_york_state_home_study) Written by Jessie McNaughton on November 08, 2016 [Original Post](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/358996/Who-Can-Conduct-an-Adoption-Home-Study-in-New-York) by Nancy S. If you live in New York and are considering adopting a child [domestically](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-adoptions/) or [internationally](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoptions/), you will need to complete an adoption [home study](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/home-study-services/) with an authorized NY State home study provider.  In New York State, home study investigations are usually conducted by authorized private Adoption Agencies (aka voluntary agencies), public Departments of Social Services, private Licensed Master or Clinical Social Workers, or individuals or organizations approved by a local court to conduct home study investigations.  ![who can do your home study in new york state.jpg](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/who%20can%20do%20your%20home%20study%20in%20new%20york%20state.jpg?width=301&name=who%20can%20do%20your%20home%20study%20in%20new%20york%20state.jpg)   Authorized private Adoption Agencies (like Family Connections, Inc.) can complete home study investigations for prospective adoptive parents involved in ***any ***type of adoption.  The Department of Social Services only conducts home study investigations needed for public foster care adoptions.  Licensed social workers and individuals or organizations approved by a local court can only perform home study investigations for prospective adoptive parents who can become pre-qualified as adoptive parents by their county’s family court (e.g. private domestic independent adoption, kinship adoption).   As of July 2014, home studies for international adoption need to be conducted by a Hague Accredited agency.     In **New York State, Adoption Agencies** are authorized by the Office of Children and Family Services.  Family Connections, Inc. has been an authorized adoption agency in New York State since 1994.  Family Connections also has acheived Hague Accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA) in relation to International Adoption. Family Connections and other authorized adoption agencies can conduct home study investigations and approve individuals as adoptive parents for *ALL* types of adoptions, including:   - Kinship Adoption - Step-Parent Adoption - Second Parent Adoption - Foster Care Adoption - Public Domestic System Adoption - [Private Domestic Agency Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-adoptions/) - Private Domestic Independent Adoption - [International (aka Inter-country) Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoptions/)   Every county in New York State has a Department of Social Services.  Caseworkers in the county’s Department of Social Services where the prospective adoptive parents live can complete home study investigations for families wishing to adopt from the United State’s public adoption system including foster care adoption or public domestic system adoption.   **Social Workers in New York State** are licensed by the State University of New York, the Department of the Professions as either Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).   Licensed social workers may conduct home study investigations for kinship, step-parent, second parent, and private domestic independent adoptions.  Please understand that private licensed social workers are not able to approve individuals as adoptive parents; they can only recommend families for approval by the Court.  Private licensed social workers are unable to obtain the child abuse history reports and criminal history reports needed to approve individuals as adoptive parents.  Private social workers do not have legal authority to approve an applicant as an adoptive family.  Thus, if prospective adoptive parents choose to use a private licensed social worker, they will be required to petition their county’s Family Court to become pre-qualified (approved; aka pre-certified) as adoptive parents.    **Individuals or Organizations Approved by a Local Court** may conduct home study investigations at the request/order of the court.  ** **If ordered by the court, the approved individual or organization may conduct home study investigations for kinship, step-parent, second parent, and private domestic independent adoptions.  These individuals or organizations do not have legal authority to approve an applicant as an adoptive family.  Thus, prospective adoptive parents will be required to petition their county’s Family Court to become pre-qualified (approved; aka pre-certified) as adoptive parents.    Family Connections, Inc. is a New York State authorized adoption agency who has acheived Hague Accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. With over twenty years experience in adoption, we would be honored to help you with your adoption plans.  To complete a home study investigation with Family Connections, Inc., an authorized New York State Adoption Agency, please call 607-756-6574 or 1-800-535-5556 to talk with Anita or Renee.  You can also request a free no-obligation consultation by clicking on the link below:               [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/fc170736-a599-45d5-92dc-08ab4ff2dbc7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/fc170736-a599-45d5-92dc-08ab4ff2dbc7)   ![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: ## [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. ## [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 ? ## [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://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. 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