Delaware Adoption Document Checklist: Home Study Through Court Finalization

The paperwork burden of a Delaware adoption is real — but it's manageable when you know exactly what's coming and start gathering documents early. Many delays in the home study process trace back to a single missing item: a medical form that wasn't scheduled in time, an out-of-state background check that took six weeks instead of two, a reference who didn't respond promptly.

This checklist is organized by process stage so you can work on the right documents at the right time.

Stage 1: Home Study Application Documents

The home study is conducted by a licensed Delaware child-placing agency or by DFS directly. Every adult household member 18 or older must provide information. Start gathering these on day one:

Personal identity documents

• Birth certificates for all household members (certified copies, not photocopies)
• Marriage license (if applicable) and any prior divorce decrees — all certified copies
• Driver's licenses or state-issued IDs (copies)
• Social Security cards (copies)

Financial documents

• Federal tax returns for the past 2 years (both years, all pages)
• Most recent pay stubs (2–3 months' worth)
• Most recent bank statements (checking, savings, investment accounts — 2–3 months)
• Proof of homeowner's or renter's insurance (current policy declarations page)
• Vehicle insurance cards or declarations page

Housing documents

• Mortgage statement or lease agreement confirming your current address
• For homeowners: property deed or most recent property tax statement

Health and medical

• Medical clearance forms signed by a physician — the agency will provide the specific form, but you'll need a doctor's appointment for all adults in the home. Schedule this early; some practices require lead time for adoption medical forms.
• Psychiatric or mental health clearances if you have a treatment history — ask your agency what they require

References

• Names and contact information for at least 4 personal references
• At least 3 must be non-relatives
• References will be contacted directly by the agency; give them a heads-up

Background check authorization

• The agency will initiate the background check process, but you'll need to provide:
  • Fingerprinting for the Delaware State Police criminal history check
  • Fingerprinting for the FBI National fingerprint check
  • Addresses for every state where you've lived in the past 5 years (for out-of-state child abuse registry checks)

Additional required documents

• Pet vaccination records (if you have pets)
• Written Guardianship Plan: a document designating who would care for the child if both adoptive parents became incapacitated. This is especially important for single-parent applicants.
• For homeowners: documentation that firearms and medications are stored safely (the home inspector will note this, but documentation helps)
• If applicable: military service documentation, proof of any previous adoptions or foster licenses

Stage 2: During the Home Study Process

While the agency is conducting visits and processing your documents, certain background checks are running in parallel. Key ones to monitor:

Background checks that can cause delays

• FBI fingerprint check results can take 4–12 weeks. Request your appointment as soon as the agency gives you the authorization paperwork.
• Out-of-state registry checks vary dramatically by state — some take a week, some take 8 weeks. Identify all states where you've lived and ask your agency which ones historically run slow.

Home visits and interviews The Delaware DELACARE regulations require at least three meetings with your agency social worker, with at least one in the home and involving all residents. These are scheduled with the agency — nothing to prepare document-wise, but prepare to discuss your upbringing, parenting philosophy, relationship history, support network, and motivation to adopt.

Home study validity: Once completed, a Delaware home study is valid for 1 year. If you haven't been matched within that year, you'll need an addendum update.

Stage 3: Placement-Related Documents

Once a child is placed in your home, additional documentation requirements kick in during the supervision period:

For DFS/foster-to-adopt placements

• Child's Medicaid card and medical history (DFS provides)
• Placement agreement from DFS
• Child's school and medical provider information

For private agency placements

• Placement agreement from the agency
• Signed consent documents from birth parents (the agency handles the signing process, but you'll receive copies)
• If an out-of-state child is placed in Delaware: Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) approval documents — both the sending state's approval and Delaware's approval must be in hand before the child crosses state lines

During the 6-month supervision period The agency conducts post-placement supervision visits and writes reports. Keep records of:

• All agency visit dates and names of social workers
• Any significant events in the household (job change, move, health issue) — notify the agency promptly as these trigger addendum reports

Stage 4: Family Court Filing Documents

The adoption petition is filed after the child has resided in your home for at least 6 months (for agency placements). File at the Family Court in your county: New Castle County (Wilmington), Kent County (Dover), or Sussex County (Georgetown).

Required filing packet

• Form 150 — Petition for Adoption (signed by petitioners)
• Form 156 — Affidavit of Expenses (detailed accounting of all money paid in connection with the adoption — this is scrutinized carefully; include everything)
• Form 152 — Final Order of Adoption (prepared for the judge to sign at the hearing)
• Form 346 — Custody Separate Statement
• Form 110A — Adoption Order of Reference
• Form 158/159 — Consent forms (for birth parent and, if the child is 14 or older, the child's own written consent)
• Vital Statistics Data Sheet — for issuance of the new birth certificate
• Certified birth certificate of the child (original pre-adoption certificate)
• Home study report and all post-placement supervision reports from the agency
• Filing fee (approximately $100 for DFS cases; verify current amount with the Clerk of Court)

For DFS cases specifically: The Family Court provides a separate DSCYF-specific checklist for state-involved adoptions. The Clerk of Court at each location can confirm which documents are required for your case type.

Stage 5: Post-Finalization Actions

After the judge signs the Final Order:

• Order certified copies of Form 152 (the Final Decree) — you'll need 4–6 copies for subsequent steps
• Apply for the amended birth certificate from the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics ($25 per certified copy; order 3–5)
• Apply for a new Social Security card with the child's updated name at your local Social Security office (free; bring the Final Decree and new birth certificate)
• Update your will, life insurance beneficiary designations, and employer benefits to include the child
• Notify the school and medical providers of the legal change
• Apply for the Federal Adoption Tax Credit on your next tax return ($17,280 for 2025 adoptions)

One Document That Trips People Up: Form 156

The Affidavit of Expenses (Form 156) is one of the most commonly flagged documents in Delaware adoptions. It requires a complete, itemized accounting of every dollar spent on the adoption — agency fees, attorney fees, home study costs, birth parent living expenses, travel, even court fees. The court reviews this form carefully; incomplete or inconsistent expense reporting is one of the more common reasons petitions are returned for correction.

Keep a running log of all adoption-related expenses from the moment you start the process. Don't try to reconstruct it at filing time.

The Delaware Adoption Process Guide includes a master document tracker, an annotated version of the Form 156 requirements, and the full court filing checklist with notes on what the Clerk of Court actually reviews first.

See more United States guides →