Common areas families are asked to complete
- Application and identification documents
- References
- Criminal-history and abuse/neglect screening
- Required training or education
- Financial and household information
- Health information when required
- A home study or pre-adoptive home screening
Age and household status
Texas DFPS says prospective foster/adoptive parents for its program must generally be at least 21 years old and may be married or single. Requirements for other adoption paths can differ.
Background checks
Background screening is a normal part of adoption. The exact checks, forms, and people included depend on the adoption path and current requirements.
Finances
Families do not need to be wealthy, but the home-study process generally considers whether the household is financially stable and able to meet a child's needs.
The home study
The home study looks at more than the physical home. It can include interviews, family relationships, safety, support systems, finances, background information, parenting expectations, and readiness to adopt.
Read the adoption home-study guide
Get the agency-specific checklist
Do not assume a generic checklist applies exactly to your case. Ask Matching Hearts which requirements apply to the adoption path it is handling for you.
Texas DFPS publishes current requirements for families adopting children from state care. Some state pages combine foster-care and adoption information. Matching Hearts currently provides adoption services only.
General information only. This page is educational and is not legal advice. Requirements can change and may differ by adoption type. Matching Hearts can confirm the current requirements that apply to its process.