[sak9645]

Homestudies need to be updated anytime there is a significant change in your life. This can include a birth, an adoption (other than the one in process), a marriage, a separation/divorce, death of a spouse, a new home, a new person in the home (such as your mother or a boarder), loss of a job (if not followed quickly by a new one), a new job that changes your salary or working hours or commute, a serious physical injury or illness, a psychiatric illness, diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse, criminal charges of any kind (even misdemeanors), major financial changes (good or bad, such as an inheritance or a failed investment), etc.

In addition, most states have a validity period for homestudies, after which they expire and must be redone, even if you don't have major changes in your life. Further complicating matters is the fact that the USCIS requires refingerprinting after 15 months and a new I-600A/I-800A after 18 months. The new USCIS application must include a homestudy update. The USCIS recognizes that there is a long time from homestudy to homecoming, these days, and has a great concern that something negative could occur in a person's life that would make it unwilling to allow an adoption to proceed.

All in all, it is advisable to make significant changes in your life situation BEFORE you apply to adopt or after completion of an adoption.

Sharon