How to Get a Foster Care License in Ohio: Every Family Fits. Every Kid Belongs.

If you've wondered whether you're "the right kind of family" to foster, the answer is almost certainly yes. Renters, single parents, LGBTQ+ households, and working families all foster successfully in Ohio every day. This guide walks through exactly what Ohio requires, clears up the most common misconceptions about who qualifies, and shows you how to take the first step with Adriel.

What is a Foster Family?

A foster family is a household licensed by the state to provide a temporary, safe home for a child who cannot currently live with their birth parents. Foster families care for children until they can safely return home, be placed with relatives, or find another permanent home. They reflect the full diversity of their community and can include almost any household: relatives or family friends, married couples, single adults, longtime renters, or families who already have children of their own.

Why Ohio Needs More Foster Families

There are 14,223 children in Ohio's foster care system as of December 2025, according to the Statehouse News Bureau and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. At the same time, the number of Ohio families licensed to foster has dropped 4% since 2019, which a state child welfare official recently called "really troubling." Fewer foster families mean fewer available homes for kids who need one right now, which is exactly why Adriel wants more Ohioans to know they likely already qualify.

Foster Care is for More Families Than You Think

The biggest barrier to fostering usually isn't the state's requirements. It's assuming you don't meet them.

This isn't just a hunch. A national survey in the United Kingdom by the charity Action for Children as reported by BBC News found that misconceptions about eligibility keep qualified people from ever applying. One in three respondents wrongly believed renters couldn't foster. More than half thought people over 55 were excluded, and a third believed being gay would disqualify someone. The people ruling themselves out were, in many cases, exactly the people the system needed.

Myth vs. Fact: Who Can Be a Foster Parent

Myth: You must own your home.
Fact: Renters are eligible. Ohio requires proof you can cover shelter costs, not proof of ownership.

Myth: You must be married to be eligible.
Fact: Ohio law allows single applicants and co-parents, not just married couples.

Myth: You need a high income to qualify.
Fact: Ohio requires sufficient income to meet your household needs, not a minimum salary.

Myth: Having your own children disqualifies you.
Fact: Families with biological or adopted children foster regularly. In fact, parenting experience can help you qualify to care for children with a wide range of needs. The home study simply evaluates whether your household can safely welcome another child.

Myth: The process is prohibitively expensive.
Fact: While you may need to purchase items to prepare your home for a child, such as amenities or safety items, Adriel's required pre-service training is offered virtually, led by a live instructor, and provided to you at no cost.

Here's the reality for four groups who often rule themselves out too soon.

Renters

Ohio's licensing rules don't require homeownership. The Ohio Administrative Code requires only that a foster caregiver has income sufficient to cover household expenses and make timely payments toward shelter costs, whether that's a mortgage or rent. Your home does need to pass a state fire safety inspection and provide appropriate sleeping arrangements, but owning it isn't part of the requirement.

Single Parents

Ohio law explicitly allows single applicants to foster. The Administrative Code states that a foster caregiver "may be a legally married couple, a single person or co-parent(s)." In a 2022 statewide survey of Ohio foster caregivers by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Children's Alliance, 13.4% of respondents identified as single and never married. Adriel's own guidance is direct on this point too: there is no requirement or preference for foster parents to be a traditional two-parent family.

LGBTQ+ Households

LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples can legally foster and adopt in Ohio. Adriel welcomes LGBTQ+ applicants as part of its commitment to finding safe, loving homes for every child who needs one.

Working Families

There's no minimum income threshold to foster. The requirement is that your household income is sufficient to meet your family's basic needs and cover your bills on time, which is a standard most working families already meet. Applicants provide proof of income, utility bills, and a written Financial Statement as part of the home study, and there is no specific salary target.

Adriel's Approach to Foster Care

Adriel has cared for children in Ohio since 1896. Christian values are the foundation of that work. Those values are the bedrock upon which we have built our mission and our organization, developed with input from board members, staff, and local pastors, with scripture at the root of each one.

That foundation shapes how we train and support foster parents through the Teaching-Family Model of Care, an evidence-based approach that reinforces positive behavior and helps children build the skills they need to thrive. From our foundation in Christian values and scripture to our Teaching-Family Model of Care, our core values and approach keep our focus right where it needs to be, on helping the children who need us most by finding, training, and supporting caring people like you.

Learn more about Adriel's mission and core values.

Ohio's Foster Care License Requirements

To become a licensed foster parent in Ohio, you must:

Be at least 18 years old at the time of initial certification

Be a permanent resident of the US and live in Ohio

Pass background checks, along with every adult in your household

Provide a physician's statement showing you're healthy enough to foster

Show your household has income sufficient to meet its needs and pay bills on time

Complete a home study confirming you can safely care for a child

Provide appropriate sleeping arrangements, including a separate bed for every foster child, and separate bedrooms for children of the opposite sex once a child turns 5

Beyond eligibility, Ohio requires 24 hours of pre-placement training and ongoing continuing education for each certification period. Adriel provides this training virtually with a live instructor, along with training and ongoing support throughout your fostering journey. You can review the full step-by-step application process on Adriel's FAQ page.

Adriel's Commitment to Nondiscrimination

Adriel does not discriminate based on age, color, race, sexual orientation or identity, religion, national origin, cultural heritage, marital status, or disability. These factors never determine whether an applicant is certified, and the same is true when placing a child with a family, except in the narrow circumstances specifically outlined under Ohio's Administrative Code. Adriel's Licensing Specialists can walk you through any of the actual requirements in more detail. See Adriel's credentials and licensing for more on the oversight and accreditation behind that commitment.

Ready to find out if fostering is right for your family? Complete the inquiry form to receive your application and information packet or register for a free informational webinar to get your questions answered first.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get a Foster Care License in Ohio

How old do you have to be to become a foster parent in Ohio?

You must be at least 18 years old at the time of initial certification, per the Ohio Administrative Code.

Can single people become foster parents in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio law allows single applicants and co-parents to foster, not just married couples.

Do you have to own your home to foster children in Ohio?

No. Renters are eligible. Ohio requires proof you can cover shelter costs and pass a home safety inspection, not proof of homeownership.

Is there a cost to become a foster parent through Adriel?

Adriel's required pre-service training is offered virtually with a live instructor at no cost to you.

What are the steps to becoming a licensed foster parent in Ohio?

The process includes an inquiry form, an application, orientation, 24 hours of pre-service training, background checks, a home study, and licensure. Your Adriel Licensing Specialist guides you through each step.