Initial Home Studies generally cost between $1,500 and $2,000. They are considered accurate for a period of two years.  Many prospective adoptive parents may be reluctant to spend this money, for fear that they will simply have to do so again.

It has become clear, however, that any couple who is seriously commited to finding a birth mother should make this financial commitment early. There are three reasons for this. First, internet profile registries require that a family have a completed Home Study and be approved for adoption by the agency which prepared it before they will post a profile.

Second, other adoption attorneys who represent birth mothers and are assisting them in their search may require a Home Study before they will present the profile to their clients.

Third, making the payment for the Home Study, as well as the payment to retain an adoption attorney, helps people to get beyond their indecision. Now you are no longer testing the waters, you have made a substantial financial commitment and are more likely to follow up with the aggressiveness necessary to make your search successful.