Prepare for an Adoption Home Study and Pass It

  1. Order certified birth certificates for every household member
    30 min

    This step produces a certified birth certificate — with a raised seal, embossed stamp, or multicolored state-issued security paper — for every adult in the household and any children already living in the home. Hospital-issued souvenir certificates and uncertified printouts are not accepted. Each state issues its own certificates through its vital records office, and processing times range from 1 to 6 weeks.

    1. List every household member and the state or territory where each was born. Do not assume a certificate from one state will satisfy another — each requires its own issuing office.

    2. Go to the National Center for Health Statistics directory (link below) or search “[State] vital records” to find the official ordering portal.

    3. Complete the application. Each state uses its own form: VS-117 (Texas), DOH-4269 (New York), VS 103 (Florida), and so on. You will need the full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ full names.

    4. Pay the fee: typically $15–$30 per copy. Credit cards are accepted on most state portals; VitalChek adds a convenience fee of $7–$13.

    5. Choose shipping: standard mail (1–4 weeks) or expedited (1–7 business days for an additional fee).

    6. When each certificate arrives, verify the state seal, registrar signature, and that all names and dates are correct before filing it.