South Carolina Home Study

SC home studyEligibility Requirements for South Carolina Home Studies

Nightlight® Christian Adoptions is licensed by the state of South Carolina to select suitable families for children needing adoption. The selection of adoptive parents is based on their eligibility to meet state and agency requirements, their capacity for adoptive parenthood, and the availability of children whose needs they can meet.

RESIDENCE

Nightlight’s South Carolina office can perform Agency Adoptions only for families living in South Carolina. Other Domestic adoption services are available to families throughout the United States. Please contact our office for specific details.

RELIGION

Applicants must be committed to providing their child with a constructive, wholesome and spiritual home environment.

HEALTH

Adoptive applicants must give evidence of good health, both physical and mental, which will be verified during the application process by medical examinations and psychological evaluations.

AGE

None; however, birthmothers tend to prefer families in their 30’s or early 40’s.

MARRIAGE

Adoptive applicants are encouraged to have been married long enough to provide the couple sufficient time to establish a home, financial security, and to adjust to the marriage as well as to each other. Married applicants must have a satisfying and secure marriage. Single parents are eligible to adopt if they meet the qualifications of a stable home environment, financial security and have a strong support network of family and friends. However, few birthmothers will choose single parents when married couples are available.

EDUCATION

Classes and reading are required of adoptive families pertaining to parenting skills and adoption issues. Our goal is to prepare you to be the best parents possible for your child.

FINANCES

Adopting parents must be able to provide a financially stable home, demonstrated by a solid credit history and ability to live within their means.

PREGNANCY

Before you begin the adoption process, you need to complete all your infertility treatments so you can truly be ready to be the best parent for your adopted child. If you become pregnant while in the adoption process, notify our office immediately. We will place your file on hold. When you are ready to consider adoption again – generally at least when your child is nearing their first birthday – call us to discuss re-activating your file.

ADOPTION OF SUBSEQUENT CHILDREN

In order to have adequate time for attachment and bonding, it is important to have a minimum of one year with the child/ren in the home before beginning another adoption.

HOME STUDY SERVICES GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST

We would love to see you at one of our free information seminars! These seminars are an excellent way to have your preliminary questions answered, get to know the Nightlight staff and meet other families beginning the adoption process. For more information or to RSVP, visit Adoption Seminars Page or call the office at (864) 268-0570.

How do we get started?

  1. Contact Leah for a link to the online application.
  2. Read our International Home Study Booklet
  3. Or Domestic Home Study  Booklet
  4. Send your check for  $1250 for Domestic or $2100 for International home study fee
  5. In addition, there is an application fee of $500.  This fee is only paid once, whether you are adopting Internationally, domestically, with Snowflakes, or are just doing a home study.

Begin the Home Study
Once we receive your Application paperwork and payment, we will send you the home study checklist, which contains the necessary paperwork for completing the home study. Once we receive your initial home study paperwork, we will assign you a certified adoption investigator.

Please read the enclosed information before you submit your application. If you have any questions please contact Leah Beardsley, Home Study Coordinator, by phone at (864) 268-0570 ext. 165 or by e-mail at [email protected].