Want to know everything about an adoption home study? This article by associate attorney Greg Locklier delves into the updates, requirements, and order of a home study in 2026.

The components of a home study, or “Adoption Investigation”, really haven’t changed much in 2026, except that it now includes an investigation of natural parents on non-related, minor adoptions.

The new law better distinguishes between pre and post-placement investigation requirements (26-10E-19), and, there is now a new code section on investigations related to adoptees that are in the permanent custody of DHR (26-10E-19.1).

2026 Home Study Requirements

The Pre-Placement Home Study

(Ala. Code § 26-10E-19(a),(b))

1. Letters of Suitability for each adult living in home of petitioner
2. C/AN clearances for all household members 14 y/o and old and older from any state in which petitioner has resided in preceding five years.
3. Printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin National Sex offender public website for all household members 14 y/o and older.
4. Costs and Expenses known or anticipated at the time of the pre-placement investigation. (we usually provide by affidavits from petitioners)
5. Social Worker license.
6. Six reference letters, four of which are from individuals unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners by blood or marriage. The other two references letters shall be from individuals related by blood or marriage. If there are two petitioners, a member from each petitioner’s family shall submit a reference.
7. Medical reports on all individuals living in the home and letters from prescribing doctors for any controlled substance prescriptions.
8. The financial worksheets for each petitioner for the previous tax year or a copy of the previous year’s tax returns.
9. Copies of each petitioner’s birth certificates and marriage licenses or marriage certificates. (we generally obtain these).
10. Copies of Divorce decrees and settlement agreements pursuant to the divorce, if applicable. (we generally obtain these).
11. Copies of any death certificates, if applicable. (we generally obtain these).
12. The identity of who will perform the post-placement investigation.
13. A written biography of each petitioner, including medical and social history.
14. A home safety inspection indicating that the home of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee’s residency.
15. Any custody orders:
16. Pertaining to Adoptee
17. Pertaining to petitioner or petitioners; or
18. Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or petitioners.
19. Any other requirement pursuant to DHR Rules
20. Any additional information required by the Court.
21. The court, in its discretion, may allow a deviation in the investigation requirements, for good cause shown, only as it relates to any household members 14 years of age and older. Good cause must be demonstrated on the record with, at minimum, an affidavit from the investigator as to why the deviation is warranted.

**** Copies of pet vaccinations no longer required.

The Post-Placement Home Study

(Ala. Code § 26-10E-19(c),(d))

1. In cases when an adoptee has resided in the petitioner’s home before the filing of a petition for adoption, what’s in the pre-placement report has to be included in the post-placement home study.
2. In every adoption proceeding, after a child has been placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners, the post-placement investigator shall observe the adoptee and interview each petitioner in his or her home as soon as possible after notice of the placement but within 45 days after the placement. The individual or entity performing the investigation shall complete and file the post-placement investigative report with the court within 60 days from receipt of notice of the proceeding and shall deliver a copy of the post-placement investigative report to each petitioner’s attorney or to each petitioner appearing pro se.
3. The post-placement investigative report shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
4. Full and updated physical medical evaluations of the adoptee.
5. Full and updated psychological and mental health evaluations of the adoptee, if applicable.
6. The circumstances resulting in the placement of the adoptee with the petitioners.
7. The status of adjustment of the adoptee in the home, including, but not limited to, the following:

• • The bonding of the adoptee to the household members.
  • The adoptee’s academic, social, and medical status.

8. Any counseling or therapeutic services involving the adoptee or petitioners, or both.

9. Any property or assets in which the adoptee has a financial interest or is otherwise entitled to receive in the future.

10. Any current orders issued by another court:

• • Pertaining to the adoptee;
  • Pertaining to the petitioner or petitioners; or
  • Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or petitioners.

11. Updated letters of suitability, pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 38, for each adult living in the home of the petitioner or petitioners based on the information available in this state or the petitioner’s place of residence if other than this state.

12 Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act for all household members 14 years of age and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided in the preceding five years.

13. A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members 14 years of age and older from any state in which any petitioners have resided.

14. Any additional information required by the court in its discretion.

15. The court, in its discretion, may allow a deviation in the investigation requirements, for good cause shown, only as it relates to any household members 14 years of age and older. Good cause must be demonstrated on the record with, at minimum, an affidavit from the investigator as to why the deviation is warranted.

Investigation of Legal or Putative Parents of Adoptee

(Ala. Code §26-10E-19(e))

1. An individual or entity authorized to perform an investigation who has not already performed an investigation for the pending adoption shall perform an investigation on any legal or putative parent of the adoptee in an adoption that is not a stepparent or relative adoption. This investigation shall include, but is not limited to, the medical and social history of the legal or putative parents as required by the form developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute.
2. The individual or entity performing an investigation shall submit the investigative report to the court within 60 days of the filing of the petition, and the individual or entity performing the investigation shall also deliver a nonidentifying copy of the report to the petitioner or petitioners.
3. The court may require additional information or accept the required information provided in a different format.

****Note: Investigations of legal or putative parents not required for step-parent or relative adoptions, unless specifically required by the court.

The Home Study for Step-parent and Related Adoptions

(Ala. Code 26–10E–26, 27)

1. An investigation shall be conducted to determine the suitability of each petitioner and the home in which the adoptee will reside, and the report of the investigation shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
2. Letters of suitability for each adult living in the home of the petitioner or petitioners based on the information available in this state (excluding legal parent of adoptee in stepparent adoption).
3. Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act for all household members 14 years of age and older from any state in which any petitioners have resided in the preceding five years (excluding legal parent of adoptee in stepparent adoption).
4. A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members 14 years of age and older (excluding legal parent of adoptee in step-parent adoption).
5. A home safety inspection indicating that the home of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee’s residency.
6. The limited investigation may also include other information required by Section 26-10E-19 as directed by the court and shall be filed with the court. The limited investigation shall be filed with the court within 30 days of the date of the filing of the petition.
7. The court, in its discretion, may:
8. Require additional information; and
9. Allow a deviation in the investigation requirements, for good cause shown, only as it relates to any household members 14   years of age and older. Good cause must be demonstrated on the record with, at minimum, an affidavit from the investigator as to why the deviation is warranted.
10. The investigative report shall be submitted in a form developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. The investigative report shall contain information obtained within 12   months preceding the hearing on the final judgment of adoption.