Adoption Qualifications

Failing a home study are four words that every prospective adoptive couple has probably thought of with a chill running up their spine. The fear of passing a home study is natural, and if a couple fails a home study they can usually reapply. However, it can be distressing to go through the process of being under a case worker's microscope and scrutiny. Unfortunately, there are no right answers or secret passwords that will ensure you'll pass a home study, and the same goes for making a profile that a pregnant woman will want to place her child with.

Sometimes, the reason for failing a home study may be due to the biases of a case worker. Other times, a couple may just not be ready. For example, if the couple has received multiple years of unsuccessful fertility treatment without giving themselves a chance to mourn the loss of conceiving a biological child, a case worker may fail them.

The best qualification for adoption begins with honesty. Being truthful with a case worker and taking the time to understand why you want to adopt a child can highlight your adoption qualifications.

If you're working with an agency, there may be certain regulations on marital status, religious affiliation or age that can exclude you from their services. However, there is nearly an adoption option for everyone. China and other international countries allow people up through their 60s to adopt, while many domestic agencies have upper age limits at 35.

Some states also have laws that may prohibit gay couples to adopt a partner's child or to jointly file to adopt a child. Florida is currently the only state that bans all forms of gay adoption. Over half of all other states have vague laws governing adoption qualifications for gay couples.