How Are Adoptive Families Screened?

Choosing adoption is a brave and selfless decision — and if you're considering this path, you may wonder: “How do I know my baby will be safe and loved?”

At American Adoptions, we understand how important it is for you to feel confident in the family you choose. That’s why every adoptive family goes through a thorough screening process to ensure they’re emotionally, financially, and physically ready to provide a safe, loving home.

This article will walk you through how adoptive families are screened — and why this matters to you.

The Screening Process

Before hopeful parents are ever shown to a prospective birth mother like you, they must complete a rigorous, multi-step process designed to protect your baby’s future.

Here’s what’s involved:

• Adoption Application: Every family starts by submitting a detailed application, outlining their motivations for adopting and personal background.
• Home Study: This assessment includes home visits, background checks, interviews, and more.
• Agency Training: Families are educated on the emotional and practical aspects of adoption.
• Profile Creation: Only after passing all steps are they eligible to be presented to you.

Each of these steps ensures only safe, committed, and loving families are part of our program.

What Adoption Agencies Look For

Agencies like ours are held to the highest standards when it comes to evaluating adoptive families. Here’s what we look for:

• Emotional Readiness: Adoption is a lifelong journey. We assess the family's motivations, expectations, and emotional health.
• Financial Stability: Families must prove they can provide for a child, including submitting tax returns and employment verification.
• Criminal & Child Abuse Clearances: Every adult in the home must pass extensive background checks.
• Medical History: Families provide proof of good physical and mental health.
• Stable Living Environment: Social workers ensure the home is clean, safe, and child-friendly.
• Strong Relationships: If the family is married, we evaluate the strength and stability of their relationship.
• Support System: Families must have friends and extended family who support their adoption journey.

Some of these are evaluated through home studies. Learn more about how we screen here.

This thorough review gives you peace of mind that every family presented to you is truly ready for the responsibility of parenting.

Why Adoption Agencies Screen Families

The screening process isn’t just a formality — it’s a vital step that ensures the child is going into the safest possible environment.

Here’s why it matters:

• Your Peace of Mind: Knowing the family has passed thorough checks helps you feel more confident in your decision.
• Child Safety: Every check and visit ensures the baby’s new home is stable, loving, and secure.
• Adoption Success: Families who go through this process are more likely to have successful, long-term adoption journeys.

This is your baby. You deserve to know they will be raised by someone who is truly prepared to love and support them.

You Can Choose the Right Family

Thanks to this detailed screening process, you’ll only see families who are truly ready. From there, you get to decide who’s right for your baby.

Want a family with a similar background? Prefer someone close to home? Hoping for an open adoption with continued contact? All of that is up to you — and we’ll be by your side every step of the way.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.