You will be expected to have enough
income to support your family and your new child. The more stable your
employment, the more attractive you will be to birth parents.
You will undergo a home inspection
to be sure that your home is clean and safe and can accommodate the new child.
This is not a “white glove” test. Safe means things like a fence around a pool,
smoke detectors, and no ferocious dogs with a history of biting. Clean means
reasonable, not fanatical.
You will be fingerprinted and
undergo a criminal background check as well as a check for any child abuse
complaints.
If there are people living in your
house other than the adoptive parents, they may have to undergo fingerprinting
and criminal clearances as well.
Yes, there are a lot of hoops to
jump through. Try to keep in mind that everyone’s motivation is to be sure that
every child placed in an adoptive home will be safe, cared for and loved.
If you have read anything that makes you concerned about
your eligibility, don’t panic yet. Remember, there is usually flexibility in
the rules and there are generally many options to choose from so you will
probably find the adoption option that will work for you.
