Our services.

We understand adoption is unique for everyone and it can be an intimidating process to get started. Every family’s adoption process looks different, whether they are adopting through an adoption agency, social services, domestic, international, or private placement. However, every adoption has two things in common: the family must have an approved home study (pre-placement assessment) before the placement of a child and they must have a post-placement report completed after the placement of the child in the home before the adoption can be finalized. South Carolina Adoption Home Study Services is here to provide both pre and post-placement assessment services to the families of South Carolina.

Pre-Placement Assessment

An adoption worker will come to your home, where they get to know your family’s history, interests, and lifestyle. The adoption worker will also evaluate your family’s emotional, physical, and financial capabilities for parenting an adopted child. Rest aside, there are no “right” or “wrong” answers as each person is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of the documentation the family will need to provide:

  • Birth Certificates (or Naturalization Papers, if applicable)

  • Marriage License

  • Divorce Decrees (if appropriate)

  • Financial forms (Tax Return and/or W-2 statements)

  • Financial planning form

  • 3 Letters of Reference (non-relatives)

  • Health forms filled out by a physician (everyone in the home)

  • criminal records searches

  • sex offender searches

  • child abuse registry searches

Once the adoption worker completes a home visit, interviews, and collects the necessary documents, a written report is prepared with adoption recommendations for your family.

A South Carolina private domestic adoption family receiving a home study

Post Placement Report

This is completed once the adoptive child is placed in the home and before the court hearing to finalize the adoption. An adoption worker will complete a home visit to gather information on how the child is adjusting to the placement. The adoption worker will evaluate if the child and parents are bonding, if the child’s needs are being met, and so on. If any referrals are recommended, the adoption worker will discuss this with the family.

Multiple hands of different sizes and ages touching and holding each other in a gentle, supportive manner, with a dark background.

Types of Home Studies

Please note: We are a home study agency, not a child placing agency. We do not place children for adoption. Our role is to complete home studies, post-placement supervision, and related assessments. Placement services are handled by licensed agencies, attorneys, or the Department of Social Services as required by law.

  • We provide home study assessments and post-placement reports for families pursuing private domestic adoption. Whether you are working with an adoption agency or an attorney, we can complete the required evaluations to ensure you meet all state requirements.

  • For families adopting internationally, we provide Hague-compliant home studies and post-placement supervision under the supervision of a Hague-accredited agency, as required by law. We collaborate with your agency to ensure all documentation meets U.S. and international standards.