Welcome to the WHFC Document and Home Study Update website for families in the domestic program!
In the domestic program, it is very important to make certain your documents are perpetually updated and that there is continuous availability of documents that are less than a year old. Because the regulations vary by state and because you may end up adopting from a different state than your own, there can be delays or missed opportunities if documents are not current. In rare instances documents may actually need to be even more current and WHFC will work with you on a case by case basis when this is needed. However, in general, it is best to start the update process once a document is about 10 months old. This will likely ensure that the new documents will be ready before the previous ones expire.
The documents that must remain updated include medicals for all family members, state-specific child abuse registry checks, additional state-specific background clearances, your home study, and your FBI fingerprints (if your state background clearance does not involve prints).
The goal of this website is to provide you with easy access to the needed forms.
You and your social worker should also be in contact to schedule a home visit each year that will be used, along with the various forms, to update your home study. There is a fee for the home study update and you will be invoiced in advance of the visit
If you have questions about the expiration date of any documents currently in your file, please feel free to email Jessica Ellison at jellison@whfc.org.
Please scroll through the following to download the forms needed. Both the first section and the state specific section apply.
All documents should be returned to:
Attn: Domestic Home Study Coordinator
Wide Horizons For Children, Inc.
375 Totten Pond Road, Suite 100
Waltham, MA 02451
FOR ALL FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF STATE OF RESIDENCE
HOME STUDY CHANGE OF STATUS FORM
One Per Family
MEDICAL STATEMENT FORM
One for each member of the household – regardless of age
FBI FINGERPRINTING
(only necessary if your state’s criminal clearance does not include FBI fingerprinting….Ask Jessica if uncertain)
MOST RECENT 1040 Tax Form – please submit copy of first two pages only.
FOR MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS
CRIMINAL CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM
One for each member of the household – age 15 and older
Must include photocopy of your U.S. passport or driver’s license
PLEASE NOTE THAT MA RECENTLY STARTED REQUIRING FINGERPRINTS AS PART OF THE CRIMINAL RECORDS PROCESS. The CORI unit will send us a fingerprint permission letter once they initially process your CORI. This letter will include a unique identifier for you and instructions on making a printing appointment. We will pass this along to you as soon as we receive it – usually 2-4 weeks after you submit your initial form. You will pay a fingerprinting fee of $35 per person when making the appointment.
- complete only the one for your current state of residence for updates
- include each member of the househole – age 14 and older
FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK INSTRUCTIONS – this will help you determine whether you need Form 1 (and fingerprinting instructions) or Form 2
Last updated: 1/25/2017
CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK REQUEST FORM – FORM 1
Last updated: 1/25/2017
FINGERPRINTING INSTRUCTIONS
Last updated: 1/25/2017
CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK REQUEST FORM – FORM 2
Last updated: 1/25/2017
- complete only the one for your current state of residence for updates
- include each member of the househole – age 17 and older
FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CLEARANCE INSTRUCTIONS
For all household members over 18. Enter PA 188 or PA 0188 as the Contributor Case Number. After you have fingerprints completed, please scan your Adoption Coordinator the receipt.
Last updated: 6/29/2020
CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY CHECK
Please alert your Adoption Coordinator that you need to complete this for NJ. She will need the name and current email for all household members over 18 to enter your information in the state’s system. An invitation will then be sent to each to complete the clearance. There is a $15/person fee paid online.
FOR NEW YORK RESIDENTS
CRIMINAL CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM
Criminal clearances are updated by our Main office. A faxed request will be submitted to the NYS Office of Children and Families on your behalf. If you have any questions about this process, please speak with your social worker.
- complete only the one for your current state of residence for updates
- include each member of the househole – age 18 and older
Please complete this request and return to Wide Horizons’ Main Office to the address above Attn: Applications Coordinator. You likely saved a copy of this form the first time you completed it during your initial home study and this can assist you. DO NOT MAIL TO THE STATE YOURSELF.
FOR VERMONT RESIDENTS
BACKGROUND CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM
One for each member of the household – age 18 and older
CHILD SUPPORT RELEASE FORM
One for each member of the household – age 18 and older – even if you do not pay child support
DMV RECORDS CHECK REQUEST FORM
One for each member of the household – age 18 and older
There is a fee of $16/person associated with this request – check should be made payable to VT – Department of Motor Vehicles
