When we initially started our adoption process, we really weren't aware of the differences between adopt and foster to adopt, so without the help from our agency we went the adopt route. We filed the paperwork, took the classes, completed our home study, etc. Come to find out this is not the status we want, we want foster to adopt. So here we are changing our status, and now have to submit another reference, redo our FBI/BCI checks (we just did that 12 months ago), we need another fire inspection (not sure why the old one wouldn't work). We will do whatever we have to, just not sure why the repeat of certain things?
In many states the background checks are only good for a year (2 max). That may also be the case for the fire inspection. Our homestudy was also only good for a year. I'd ask your caseworker for clarification.
Sometimes, it has to do with them having to show a continuity of paperwork (so they can easily prove you went through the while process and didn't skip any steps without having to look all over the place for documentation). Other times, it can be due to certain agencies not being able to share information (like how a background check for one purpose isn't sufficient for another, because they can't legally share the information). My husband and I adopted two children, who lived together in the same orphanage, through the same Peruvian authorities 18 months apart. We still had to go through all the steps again the second time.
Re: Changing Status