22 Adoption Reference Letter Samples (How to Write)

An Adoption Reference Letter is a formal document written by a person who knows an individual or a couple who is in the process of adopting a child. 

The letter endorses the adoptive parents’ character, personality, and ability to care for a child. It was written during an adoption home study carried out by the agency.

It enables the agency to learn about the kind of person or couple the child is going to stay with. Through the testimony of a third party, the agency can determine if the individual or couple will make a good parent. Therefore, the letter writer should be able to provide the agency with a positive portrayal of the adoptive parents. 

The writer could be a close friend who has known the adoptive parents for a long time, a friend with a child who has spent a lot of time with the adoptive parents, coworkers who have a close and trustful relationship with the adoptive parents, or a neighbor who gets along with the adoptive parents. The letter may also be written by a member of the clergy, pastor, or church member of the religious institution the adoptive parents attend. Family members or close relatives cannot write it, as agencies deem them to be biased and unable to provide an objective recommendation.

Templates and Samples

Below are carefully crafted sample letters that serve as valuable resources to assist you in the process of writing your own letter. By providing templates and examples, we aim to simplify and streamline the letter-writing process, ensuring you can effectively express your support and provide a comprehensive reference for the agency or court. These samples offer technical benefits such as structure, language guidance, and the ability to tailor the content to suit your specific needs, ultimately helping you create a compelling and impactful letter.

Adoption Reference Letter Template

Free Adoption Reference Letter Example

Editable Adoption Reference Letter Sample

Adoption Reference Letter Format

Adoption Reference Letter in Word

PDF Adoption Reference Letter Template

Sample Adoption Reference Letter for Free

Adoption Reference Letter Example (PDF)

Adoption Reference Letter Template (Editable)

Free Adoption Reference Letter Sample

    How to Write It

    A well-written letter helps convince the agency that the adoptive parents are good, kind people capable of caring for the child. It is therefore important to understand the elements that make up the letter.

    The following information outlines how you can write it:

    Personal information

    First, it should outline your name, address, city, state, and zip code. The details should be outlined on the left side of the page to adhere to the appropriate business letter format. Your phone number and email may also be indicated to enable the agency to reach out with any questions it may have.

    Date

    Secondly, the date of writing should be provided. The full date should be indicated to ensure it is clear when it is written. Often the agency will request the letter when the home study begins, and hence the date should reflect that the letter was written after a request by the agency was made.

    Relationship with the couple

    The introductory paragraph should indicate how you know the adoptive parents. It should also highlight how long you have known them. You may go into detail by indicating when and how you met the adoptive parents. You should also provide your own description of the kind of relationship you share with adoptive parents

    EXAMPLE

    You can state that you have a close, enduring friendship. These details help establish that you and the adoptive parents are well-known to each other and that you are qualified enough to provide an objective recommendation.

    A person’s strengths and character traits

    Next, you describe each of the couple’s strengths and character traits as a husband, wife, coworker, or friend, based on what you know about them. You can derive this information from what you like most about the individual or couple. These details should show the good qualities possessed by the adoptive parents.

    Attributes fitting for adopting

    Follow up by providing attributes that are fit for parenting a child, such as love, integrity, and compassion. You should only provide attributes that you have observed. Explain how these attributes make the individual or couple good parents.

    Information about their marriage/relationship

    You should also provide information on what you have observed about the marriage or relationship of the adoptive parents.

    EXAMPLE

    Highlight whether the couple gets along by outlining if they are compassionate or fight a lot. These details help social workers determine the type of atmosphere the child is likely to find in the home.

    Current parenting skills and experience

    You should then decide on any parenting experiences that the adoptive parents have, such as babysitting your children. Next, outline what skill you observed that could enable them to care for a child, such as cooking healthy meals or ensuring that things are done on time to show that they can create a stable lifestyle for the child. You should ensure that the skills and experiences mentioned are current by indicating when they happened, such as last month or last weekend.

    Examples of child interaction

    You should also provide examples of interactions adoptive parents have had with their children. These examples should demonstrate how they interacted with the child and how the experience impacted the child, according to your own opinion. This helps show that the couple is familiar with children and knows how to respond to them.

    Recommendation statement

    Finally, give your recommendation as to whether you think the couple or individual is suitable to adopt and raise a child. You should ensure that you provide an honest recommendation, as the social worker relies on it to make his/her decision easy. Keep in mind that it is not written with the aim of making the adoptive parent look good but is instead aimed at ensuring that the agency finds a good home for the child.

    Signature

    Sign off by indicating an appropriate word or phrase, such as Sincerely or ‘Kind Regards.’ You should then indicate your name. If you are submitting a hand-written letter, you may indicate your signature between the sign-off phrase and your name.

    note

    You can opt to fax, scan, or email the reference letter when sending it to the home study provider; however, you are also required to mail the original, signed letter for it to be included in the agency’s file. You can pose any questions about the letter to the home study agency, which will help answer them.

    Letter Template -Text Format

    [Your Name]
    [Address]
    [City, State, Zip code]
    Phone Number:
    Email:

    [Date]

    [Recipient’s name]
    [Job Title]
    [Adoption Agency’s Name]
    [Address]
    [City, State, Zip code]

    Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. [recipient’s name]

    I want to express my support for [name of the adoptive parent(s)] who are hoping to become adoptive parents. I am[mention the nature of the relationship you share with them]. I have known [name of the adoptive parent(s)] for [indicate how long you have known them]

    [Name of adoptive parents] are [describe their strengths and character traits]. But even more importantly, I have witnessed firsthand how they have shown [describe attributes that relate to parenting a child] to my own children. For instance, I recall how[ provide a current example of an interaction a couple of individuals has had with kids].

     I admire their relationship, as I have seen them go through some difficult times, and they still show love and affection for one another. I believe that [name of the adoptive parent(s)] can provide a child with a loving, stable, and secure home.

    I do not doubt in my mind that they are ready to take on the responsibility of adopting and raising a child.

    Sincerely,

    [Your Name]

    Letter Sample -Text Format

    Here is a sample letter from which you can get the best idea of how to write such letters in an informative way:

    sample

    To Whom It May Concern,

    I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend John and Jane Doe as prospective adoptive parents. Over the years, I have come to know John and Jane both personally and professionally, and I can say without a doubt that they are exceptionally caring, responsible, and loving individuals.

    John and Jane have always shown a profound interest in the well-being of others, especially children. They are patient and kind, and they have a natural ability to connect with young people. Their home, located in the peaceful town of Green Meadows, is a warm and nurturing environment, perfect for raising a child.

    Professionally, both John and Jane have excelled in their careers. John, a dedicated teacher, has been instrumental in nurturing the minds of young students, while Jane, a pediatric nurse, has a deep understanding and compassion for children’s health and development. Their combined experiences and skills make them exceptionally well-equipped to provide a loving and supportive home.

    Moreover, their strong moral values and commitment to family and community are evident in all aspects of their lives. They often volunteer for local charities and are active members of the community, always willing to lend a helping hand.

    In conclusion, I firmly believe that John and Jane Doe would provide a loving, stable, and nurturing home for a child. Their dedication to the welfare of others, combined with their loving nature and strong family values, makes them ideal candidates for adoption.

    Please feel free to contact me if you need further information or have any questions.

    Sincerely,

    Jonathan Clark

    Jonathan@email.com

    Analysis

    The letter is a good example of a reference letter for adopting parents. It includes several key elements that make it a useful guide for anyone looking to write a similar letter.

    Here’s an analysis highlighting these:

    • Clear Purpose and Introduction: The letter begins with a straightforward introduction. The first sentence immediately states the purpose of the letter – recommending John and Jane Doe as adoptive parents.
    • Use of Specific Qualities and Examples: The writer highlights specific qualities of John and Jane, such as their caring, responsible, and loving nature. By mentioning their professions (a teacher and a pediatric nurse), the writer reinforces their suitability to parent, given their experiences with children.
    • Personal and Professional Insights: The writer provides a combination of personal and professional insights into the couple’s character and provides a well-rounded picture. The writer’s personal connection with the couple adds credibility to their recommendation.
    • Emphasis on Environment and Values: Mentioning the nurturing environment of their home and their strong moral values gives the reader a sense of the stable and positive environment the couple could provide for a child.
    • Community Engagement: The writer highlights the couple’s involvement in their community, further underscoring their commitment and ability to provide a supportive environment for a child.
    • Conclusion and Offer to Provide More Information: The writer has ended the letter with a strong conclusion, reiterating the recommendation and the belief in the couple’s suitability. The offer to provide further information shows the writer’s willingness to support their recommendation.
    • Professional Tone with Warmth: Throughout the letter, the language is simple yet professional, balancing a formal structure with a warm, personal tone. This balance is crucial in a reference letter, as it needs to be both credible and heartfelt.

    Overall, the structure, content, and tone of this letter serve as an excellent template for writing a reference letter for adoptive parents. It demonstrates how to effectively convey the trustworthiness, stability, and suitability of the prospective parents respectfully and convincingly.

    Do’s and Don’ts

    Writing it may seem straightforward; however, there are some do’s and don’ts that you must keep in mind to ensure it communicates effectively. They will also help ease the writing process by guiding you on what you should and shouldn’t do.

    The following do’s and don’ts should be considered when writing it:

    Do’s:

    The following should be considered when writing the letter:

    • Be concise: Your letter should be brief. Writing a brief letter allows you to capture vital information. It also ensures that your reference letter remains focused on the subject at hand, which is your third-party perspective on the adoptive parents.
    • Be honest and sincere: It should contain your honest and sincere recommendation. Remember that your aim is not to please your friend or coworker. Instead, it should help the social worker come to a crucial conclusion as to whether or not the adoptive parents can raise a child.
    • Make certain that you have the correct agency information: Obtain the agency’s contact details from the adoptive parents to ensure that they are correctly indicated. The information provided should include the name, address, and phone number of the agency. Failure to indicate the correct details can lead to a delay in the arrival of the letter.
    • Properly format the letter: Use proper formatting for a reference letter to ensure that your letter is well structured. It is an official document and, therefore, should be written with careful consideration for formatting. Proper forming ensures that your letter has a professional look.

    Adoption Reference Letter Format (PDF)

    Editable Adoption Reference Letter Example

    Adoption Reference Letter Template in Word

    Sample Adoption Reference Letter (PDF)

    Free Adoption Reference Letter Format

    Editable Adoption Reference Letter Template

    Adoption Reference Letter Example (Editable)

    Adoption Reference Letter Example (Editable)

    Editable Adoption Reference Letter Template (PDF)

    Adoption Reference Letter Sample (Word)

      Don’ts

      The following mistakes should be avoided when writing:

      • Don’t write a negative reference letter: Your letter should confirm your support for the adoptive parents, so avoid drafting a negative reference. You should also avoid making any comments that may be deemed negative. If you believe you cannot write a positive reference letter, inform the adoptive parents early so they can find another writer.
      • Avoid being unobjective: This letter should contain your non-biased recommendation. Maintaining objectivity ensures that your letter effectively details your knowledge of the adoptive parents. Keep in mind that a letter may mean the difference between whether or not a child finds a good home.
      • Don’t give irrelevant information: Don’t provide unnecessary deals. You should only outline key details that you believe the adoption agency must be informed of. Your understanding of why the letter is needed will help you narrow down the details outlined.
      • Don’t forget to review and proofread: Review and proofread the letter to check for any grammatical and spelling errors. Edit the letter where necessary before sending it to the agency. You can use appropriate spell-checking software or features, such as Grammarly, to help ease the process of reviewing the letter.

      Adoption Reference Letter Template (Free)

      PDF Adoption Reference Letter Example

      Adoption Reference Letter Format (Editable)

      Free Adoption Reference Letter Template (PDF)

      Editable Adoption Reference Letter Sample

      Adoption Reference Letter Example (Word)

      Adoption Reference Letter Template (Sample)

      Free Adoption Reference Letter in PDF

        Frequently Asked Questions

        What is an adoption reference questionnaire?

        An adoption reference letter questionnaire contains a list of questions from the agency that it would like the referee to answer. The questions help create a vivid image of the adoptive parents. They include questions about the adoptive parents’ living conditions, the couple’s ability to care for a child, whether the couple’s relationship is stable, whether they have alcohol or substance abuse issues, medical or physical issues, and criminal background.

        What information should you ask before writing an adoption reference letter?

        You should request that the adoptive parents provide you with an idea of what the adoption agency wants. You should also request a sample or a tip/ hint on how to write it. The adoptive parents should provide you with the name of the home study provider, the name of the agency, its address, and its phone number.

        How can you properly format an adoption reference letter?

        The letter should be divided into three parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction of the letter should outline how close you are to the adoptive parents and how long you have known them. The body should contain the character traits and what makes them suitable to be parents. The conclusion should indicate your recommendation on whether you think the couple is ready to adopt and raise a child.

        About This Article

        Zhaniece Hill
        Authored by:
        Human Resources Specialist | Masters of Business, MBA, BAS Operations Management and Supervision
        Zhaniece Hill, an accomplished author, and writer, possesses an extensive 9-year journey as a seasoned Human Resources professional. With a Master's degree in Business Administration, Hill's profound insights into human capital management have been shaped by a diverse background spanning public and private sectors. Expertise in talent acquisition, onboarding, employee engagement, and benefits define Hill's remarkable HR acumen. With an unyielding focus on results, Hill's legacy is characterized by innovative HR solutions that elevate employee satisfaction, retention, and overall business performance. Continuously seeking fresh challenges, Zhaniece Hill utilizes her expertise to create a lasting impact in the realm of HR.

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