In Arizona, people wishing to adopt must have a home study which looks at their personal background and their home to determine whether they are suitable to have a child placed in their custody. A criminal background check and child abuse clearance are a part of this study. The home study is reviewed by the court and the family is then certified as acceptable to adopt.
In other states, the family must have a home study completed by a licensed agency that recommends adoption by the family. This study also includes a criminal background check and child abuse clearance.