Successful, loving parents come from many walks of life. The ability and desire to love a child and the means to provide a clean, safe, and stable environment are essential.
Marital Status
- Married couples need to have been married for at least a year in a marriage legally recognized in the state of Utah.
- Single parents must not be in a cohabiting relationship.
- Step parents must be married to the custodial parent of the child in a marriage legally recognized in the state of Utah.
Income
- You must be above the federal poverty line for desired family size after completing your adoption.
- Your financial stability will be assessed individually
Age
- You must be a legal adult.
- You must be at least ten years older than your adoptive child.
Physical Health
- You must be medically able to handle the day-to-day rigors of childcare.
- You must have a sufficient life expectancy to raise a child.
Mental Health
- You must have stable mental health.
- Addictions will be assessed.
Background Screening
- You must be able to pass a Utah criminal history screening.
- You must be able to pass a DCFS child abuse background screening.
- You must be able to pass an FBI criminal history screening.
Parenting
- You must be providing for the needs of any children currently in your home.
- You must be honoring any obligations to children from previous relationships.
Home
- You may rent or own.
- You must have a clean and safe environment for a child.
International adoptions have their own additional requirements, based on the country you are adopting from.
Begin Your Adoption StoryOr learn about Utah Home Studies or the Home Study Process