Section R6-5-6605. Certification Investigation

A.      Following acceptance of a completed certification application, the adoption entity shall conduct a certification investigation which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1.        Personal interviews with the adoptive family. Such inter- views shall:

a.        Occur on at least two separate occasions, at least one of which shall be at the adoptive family’s residence;

b.        Comprise no less than four hours of face-to-face contact, at least one hour of which shall take place at the adoptive family’s residence;

c.        Include at least one separate interview with each member of the adoptive family’s household who is age 5 or older; and

d.        Include at least one joint interview with both adop- tive parents if the adoptive family is a couple;

2.        Written statements from and personal contact (either a face-to-face meeting or a telephone call) with at least three of the applicant’s personal references;

3.        An inquiry as to whether the applicant wishes to be listed in the Central Adoption Registry;

4.        Verification of the applicant’s financial condition through a review of one or more of the documents listed in sub- section (A)(7)(g) below;

5.        A request to the Department for a check of the CPSCR to determine if the applicant has a past record of complaints of child abuse or neglect;

6.        An evaluation of the success of the placement of other children adopted by the applicant;

7.        A review of any supporting documentation the adoption entity reasonably deems necessary to determine an appli- cant’s fitness to adopt, which may include the following:

a.        A  physician’s   statement  regarding  the  physical health of the applicant’s other children;

b.        A statement from a psychiatrist or psychologist regarding the mental health of the applicant or the applicant’s other household members;

c.        Birth certificates;

d.        Marriage certificate;

e.        Dissolution or divorce papers and orders, including child support documentation;

f.         Military discharge papers;

g.        Financial statements, tax returns, pay stubs, and W-2 statements;

h.        Bankruptcy papers;

i.         Insurance policy information; or

j.         Documentation showing Arizona residency.

B.       A social worker who meets the qualifications listed in R6-5- 7014 shall perform the certification investigation and shall document all personal contacts made and all information reviewed and considered during the investigation.

Historical Note

Adopted effective January 18, 1978 (Supp. 78-1). Amended subsection (C) effective August 15, 1980 (Supp. 80-4). Section repealed, new Section adopted effective January 2, 1996 (Supp. 96-1).