In addition to the standard clearances set forth above, most home studies are written as a narrative story about the adoptive parent(s). Accordingly, the social worker conducting the home study will ask for an autobiographical statement essentially setting forth the story of your life. Most agencies have a set of guidelines that detail the kind of information they require to assist you in writing the autobiography and others have the worker assist you directly. You may be asked to describe who reared you and their style of child rearing, how many brothers and sisters you have, and where you are in the birth order.
Your autobiographical statement may answer many questions. Were you close to your parents and siblings when you were a child, are you close now, how much contact do you have with them? What are some successes or failures that you have had? What educational level have you reached, do you plan to further your education, are you happy with your educational attainments, what do you think about education for a child? What is your employment status, your employment history, do you have plans to change employment, do you like your current job? If you are married, there will be questions about your marriage.
Autobiographical statements for couples often cover how you met, how long you dated before you married, how long you have been married, what attracted you to each other, what your spouse’s strengths and weaknesses are, and the issues on which you agree and disagree in your marriage. Others may ask how you make decisions, solve problems, settle arguments, communicate, express feelings, and show affection. If you were married before, there will be questions about that marriage. If you are single, there will be questions about your social life and how you anticipate integrating a child into it as well as questions about your network of supportive relatives and friends.

You may not know all these answers right away! A home study is supposed to help you think through these issues. Hopefully, the social worker guiding you through the home study process will offer advice on describing these various topics. You will be asked to provide a copy of your birth certificate, your marriage license or certificate, and your divorce decree, if applicable.
Flexibility and a sense of humor are important characteristics when raising children and they can come in handy during the home study as well. For instance, if you have the flexibility in your job and are willing to take off an hour early to meet with the social worker or to modify your schedule in some other way to make the meeting arrangements flow smoothly, that effort will be appreciated by the worker. As a parent to be, many more of these accommodations are in your future; therefore the social worker often believes you might as well start getting used to them!

The duration of the home study will vary from agency to agency, depending on various factors, such as how many social workers are assigned to conduct home studies, how many other people applied to the agency at the same time as you, and the time it takes the agency to obtain the necessary clearances from local, state and federal bureaucracies. You can do a lot to expedite the process by expeditiously filling out your paper work, scheduling your medical appointments, and gathering the required documents.
The cost of the home study depends on which kind of agency or practitioner is conducting the study. A private agency might charge from $1,500 to $3,000 for the home study, although it may charge no fees or charge lesser fees for home studies for children with special needs or to low- income families. Agencies that require course work and provide education/classes tend have higher fees. Agencies that do not require additional classes or education tend to be less expensive. With respect to fees, be sure to be a good consumer and interview several adoption agencies regarding their services and fees.