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adoption certification

Sometimes referred to as "Pre-Adoption Certification." As a precaution to protect birth parents and adoptable children from potential damage from dealings with unqualified or unscrupulous adoptive parents, some states require all adoptive couples in their state to become certified to adopt in advance of being able to obtain physical custody of a child for the purpose of adoption. This advance certification involves a home study of the adoptive parents, including an investigation of their health, finances, criminal background and possible history of child abuse or domestic violence. Most certifications take an average of 4-5 months and are good for one year, with expedited renewals.