There are several checkpoints when it comes to adopting a child. You have to pass all of them in order for your application to be approved. Here are the basic steps that are involved with whether you can be approved to adopt a child.
Required Health Checks
In most states, you need to be in reasonably good health to be considered eligible to adopt a child. This means that you need to be up to date on your physical examinations with your doctor. You may even be required to provide documentation from your doctor stating that you’re physically and mentally healthy. This is to ensure that you’re able to care for a child to the best of your abilities. You don’t have to be in perfect health, but any health condition needs to be under control.
Background and Financial Verifications
The point of the background check is that ensure that a child isn’t being put at risk by living with you. Being convicted of a felony may preclude you from being able to adopt. A major red flag would include incidents of abuse or domestic violence. A financial verification is to ensure that you’ll be able to provide for a child. The adoption process will likely be an expensive one. There will also be a number of costs associated with rearing a child.
Home Studies
A social worker will be assigned to your case. They’ll come and visit your home and assess the environment. Some companies, like A Child’s Dream, know that a social worker will also conduct an interview with you to determine your suitability as a parent. This can be an extremely stressful part of the process. You’re essentially being judged on how you live and how you plan on raising a child. Another part of the process is that you’ll be asked to complete an autobiography. This is to give the biological parents an opportunity to determine if they want their child living with you.
Personal References
You’ll be asked to provide personal references to your social worker. This is develop a more well-rounded view of you as a person. Your friends and family will be asked about how you handle the stress in your life. Coworkers and supervisors may also be included in the process. The job of the social worker is to make sure that you’ll be able to give a child a better life than they would have had in another situation. There are other factors that might also be included in part of the process.
It may feel as though you have to jump through hoops just to be able to become a parent. All of these checkpoints are to protect the well-being of the child that you want to adopt.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter @RachelleWilber