A home study process can be stressful for potential adoptive parents. During the process, you will be asked all kinds of questions. These will include things like your medical history, criminal background, financial background, references, education, etc. Although most people pass their home study without problems, some fail for various reasons. So if you want to make sure you will pass, here are some things to avoid.

1. Be Honest About Your Health.

A social worker may deny your home study approval if you or your partner have a life-threatening disease since this may impact your parenting ability or shorten your lifespan. People with serious health issues, physical and psychological, may fail the home study. This doesn’t mean that therapy or medications of any kind prevent you from adopting. You’ll need to prepare a letter from your prescribing physician or your therapist before your home study. Always be honest about the medications you take, and if required, get a statement from your doctor about those medications.

2. Check Adoption Finance Assistance Options.

An adoption paperwork includes an incredibly detailed summary of your current financial situation. If your financial situation is bad or you have certain difficulties, your home study approval could be in jeopardy. So, before applying for an adoption check adoption finance assistance options.

3. Have a Stable Home and Family.

If you want to adopt a baby, you also need to equip your home for the arrival of your new family member. A social worker is going to check your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and ask do you have an adequate room for your future child. If you and your family are moving frequently, that may create an image of an instability. If there’s anything about your lifestyle that could be considered as unstable, you may have some difficulties with your home study approval. A home study process involves every adult who lives in your home. So, if there are any issues with someone living in your home, that may affect the result of your home study process.

4. Check Your Criminal History.

People with any kind of criminal record may not be approved. It’s important to know how this applies to you, your partner, and anyone who lives in your home. In some states, a felony drug conviction within the last five years also means an automatic disqualification. If you or your partner do have a criminal history, you need to check all there is about laws in your country to see if you can apply for an adoption. Minor convictions in your youth are usually not a barrier as long as you’re honest about them.

5. Don’t Lie on Your Paperwork.

When applying for an adoption, the golden rule is to always be honest. It’s the same with your home study since your social worker is going to find out that you’ve been lying sooner or later. Even when they found out any suspicious information in your adoption paperwork, they’re going to check that. An adoption is all about finding a proper home for a child, so try to be yourself and be honest, and there’s nothing to worry about.

Although most people pass, potential adoptive parents are still concerned about failing their home study. But with these amazing tips, you can make sure you cover all angles and pass your home study without issues.