What Happens after the Home Study in Texas?
Completing your home study is a major victory, signaling that you have met the rigorous standards of the Texas Family Code and are legally cleared to adopt.
While the preparation phase is behind you, many families find themselves asking, "What happens after the home study is approved?" This transition marks the shift from administrative tasks to the active search for your child.
To learn more about the next steps in your journey, you can request free adoption information today.
This guide outlines exactly what to expect once your report is finalized, how the matching phase works in Texas, and how you can prepare your heart and home for the moment you receive "the call."
What Happens After the Home Study Is Approved in Texas?
Approval of your home study is a formal legal designation. In Texas, this means a licensed evaluator has determined that your household meets the health, safety, and emotional standards required by Texas Family Code § 107.153. Being "approved" means you are eligible to adopt, but it is not a guarantee of an immediate placement.
After home study approval, your family profile is activated. Your social worker will finalize your written report and file it within the agency’s system. At this point, you move from the "documentation" phase into the "active" phase. This is when your profile becomes visible to expectant birth mothers who are working with our agency to find a home for their baby. While you are legally cleared, the next stage focuses on building an emotional connection with a birth parent through your family's story.
Understanding the Home Study Report for Adoption
The home study report for adoption is the comprehensive document that summarizes your entire evaluation. This report is a narrative that acts as your "passport" throughout the rest of the adoption process. It is used by agency staff, birth parent specialists, and the court during your finalization hearing.
A standard Texas home study report typically contains:
Background Check Results
Verification of state and federal criminal history and child abuse registry clearances.
Assessment of Family Dynamics
A narrative describing your upbringing, marriage, and parenting philosophy.
Assessment of the Home Environment
Details regarding your house’s safety, layout, and suitability for a child, including smoke detectors and square footage.
Assessment of Strengths
A professional evaluation of what makes your family a healthy environment for an adopted child.
Conclusions and Recommendations
A formal statement from the evaluator recommending you for the placement of a child.
This report ensures all Texas compliance standards are met, providing birth parents with the assurance that every waiting family has been thoroughly vetted.
Entering the Waiting & Matching Phase
Once your report is filed and your profile is live, you officially enter the waiting and matching phase. In private infant adoption, the birth mother is the central decision-maker. She will review family profiles—which include your photos, videos, and stories—to find a family that aligns with her vision for her child’s future.
Families often ask how long it takes to be matched. At American Adoptions of Texas, our families experience an average wait time of around 12 months. Several factors influence this timeline, including your "openness" in adoption planning. Families open to a wider range of medical histories, ethnicities, and levels of post-placement contact typically see shorter wait times. While the agency handles marketing and networking, your role is to remain "placement-ready" by keeping your home study current and staying in regular contact with your specialist.
How Long Are Texas Home Studies Valid?
In Texas, a private adoption home study is valid for 12 months. If you have not been matched with a child within a year, you must complete a home study update to remain active.
Our agency tracks these timelines for you, alerting you before your expiration date. The update process is typically faster than the initial study, focusing on refreshing background checks and documenting major changes in your life, such as a new job or a move. A current study ensures you are ready for a placement the moment a match occurs without delays due to expired paperwork.
How a State-Licensed Texas Adoption Agency Supports You After Approval
Once you are approved, our role shifts from evaluator to advocate. We utilize a national reach to provide your profile with maximum exposure, meaning your family is not limited to matches within Texas.
Our support includes:
24/7 Birth Parent Support
We ensure expectant mothers have access to counseling, which leads to more stable placements for you.
Matching Coordination
We handle the logistics of presenting your profile and coordinating meetings between you and birth parents.
Legal Oversight
We ensure every step follows the Texas Family Code and, if the child is born in another state, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
This ongoing guidance provides an emotional safety net during the waiting period. You can check your home study status at any time by reaching out to your specialist.
Getting Ready for Placement While You Wait (h3)
The wait doesn't have to be passive. Many families use this time to finalize their nursery, attend adoption parenting classes, or read about open adoption and attachment. Your profile is live as soon as your specialist confirms your home study checklist is 100% complete and your report is signed.
It is also a good time to prepare for "hospital matches," where a birth mother chooses a family while in labor. Being mentally and logistically prepared for a quick trip across Texas or the country is a vital part of being an active waiting family.
Why Families Choose American Adoptions of Texas for Their Home Study (h3)
Choosing a licensed agency provides a level of security that independent facilitators cannot offer. Licensed agencies are held to the highest state standards, ensuring your path to parenthood is legally sound from day one.
We streamline the process through:
Online Portal
Our digital system allows for quick document uploads and real-time status tracking.
One-on-One Assistance
You have a direct line to experts who know your story.
50-State Readiness
We ensure your report meets the requirements of every state, preventing delays if your match occurs outside of Texas.
By focusing on compliance and efficiency, we reduce the average length of the adoption process for our families.
Get Help Completing Your Home Study — Without the Delays (h3)
The transition from the home study to the matching phase is an exciting part of the journey. While it requires patience, having a professional partner ensures you are never walking the path alone. If you want your home study handled with care and your profile to get the exposure it deserves, we are here to help. Start your journey today and take the first step toward the family you have been dreaming of.
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