The home study is a detailed written report of your family compiled and prepared by a social worker. An adoption home study can take three to six months to finish.
As of December 1, 2008, the home study for the Ukraine should include:
recommendations regarding the number, age and health condition of children to be adopted by prospective adoptive parents
clear conclusion from agency/social worker completing the home study that it is recommended that the family adopt a particular child/ren meeting certain criteria. Not just family's preferences.
form I-171H, Notice of Approval of Advance Processing, entrance and permanent residence permit for the adopted child
proof of income - bank statements, W-w forms for the most recent 6 months, tax returns for the last calendar year, certified by issuing authority, and statement from employer indicating salary
home ownership/rental documents, including notarized copy of ownership or rental rights with total living area as well as number of bedrooms documented
specific medical form must be completed - though the form instructs a visit to 8 different specialists, a prospective adoptive parent may just visit their family doctor, but the form must be completed in its entirety with a statement that the adoptive parents are not drug addicts or have syphilis or HIV/AIDS.
2 notarized copies of marriage certificate
copies of passports or other identification papers
no criminal record statement from competent authority
registration commitment - the prospective adoptive parents must commit, in writing, to register their child with the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. within one month of the completed adoption. They must also agree to complete post-adoption reports.
Updated: December 2008
SOURCE: Office of Children's Issues, United States Department of State Web site
