Texas Home Studies

Eligibility Requirements for Texas Home Studies

Nightlight Christian Adoptions in Texas is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to select suitable families for children in need of adoption. The selection of adoptive parents is based on their eligilibility to meet state and agency requirements, foreign country requirements (if applicable), their capacity for adoptive parenthood, and the availability of children whose needs they can meet. Nightlight’s Texas office, with offices and staff in Waco, Austin, DFW, and Houston, can provide home study services for families around the state for Domestic, International, or Embryo adoption.

RESIDENCE

Nightlight’s Texas office can perform Agency Adoptions only for families living in Texas. 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 have the opportunity to chat with you and discuss our services. Please call our office for more information – 254.741.1633 and to discuss your adoption with our Inquiry Specialists.  For more information or to RSVP, visit Adoption Seminars Page

How do we get started?

How do we get started?

  • Contact John for a link to the online application. If you only require assistance in having your home study completed by our agency and you are adopting through another adoption agency for an international or domestic adoption, you will need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
    • Be a husband and wife married for a minimum of 3 years
    • Be a practicing Christian willing to sign and submit agreement with our Statement of Faith
    • Be able to submit a reference from your pastor or clergy as a part of your supporting documents
  • Upon completion of your application, we will review it and contact you. We will provide you with initial documents by email that will need to be completed and uploaded online through our secure portal.
  • Once the initial documents have been received and reviewed, we will forward you another packet of information relating to the supporting documents that you will need to gather and submit to complete your home study.
  • International and Domestic home study fee: $2000.

If you have questions, contact John Hewitt by phone at (254) 741-1633 or by e-mail at john.hewitt@nightlight.org. We are excited to walk you through the process of getting your home study finished!