Prospective adoptive parents have many choices when considering adoption as a way to build or expand their family. In domestic adoption they may consider a confidential adoption (aka closed), semi-open adoption, or open adoption.
Types of Domestic Adoptions:
- Confidential Adoption: Adoptive parents and birth parents may choose a confidential adoption (aka closed adoption). In a confidential adoption the identity of the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parents is held in strict confidence. The adoptive family will not know the identity of the birth parent(s) and the birth parent(s) will not be told the adoptive family’s identifying information. The birth parent may specify the characteristics of the adoptive family they wish for their child. The birth parent may choose the adoptive family from profiles and/or meet the adoptive family; it is up to them! If the birth parent decides not to choose the adoptive family, the adoption agency will chose an adoptive family who meets the birth parent’s criteria. A confidential adoption guards the identity of the birth mother, birth father, child, and adoptive parents.
- Semi-Open Adoption: Adoptive parents and a birth parent may choose a semi-open adoption. In most semi-open adoption relationships, the birth family and the adoptive family agree on what identifying information is shared. For example, the birth family and the adoptive family may only exchange first names or the name of the town in which they live. The adoption agency would know all of the identifying information for the birth parent and adoptive family, but would hold that information in confidence. The birth parent may choose to pick a family for their child from family profiles or meetings with prospective adoptive parents. The birth parent(s) and adoptive family may or may not develop a relationship with each other prior to and/or after the birth of the child (based upon the wishes of the birth parent). The birth parent may or may not request post adoption contact (e.g. pictures/letters regarding the child’s growth). Any post adoption contact requested by the birth parent would be maintained through a third party such as an adoption agency.
- Open Adoption: Adoptive parents and a birth parent may choose an open adoption. Open adoption relationships are unique to each adoption triad (birth parent – adoptive parent – child) and vary greatly. The level of openness with the adoptive family depends upon the choices of the birth family and adoptive family. Most open adoptions are characterized by:
- the birth parent(s) meeting and choosing the family for their child
- the sharing of identifying information between the birth and adoptive family
- the development of a relationship between the birth family and adoptive parents prior to the child’s birth (if possible), and
- the maintenance of a relationship between the birth parent, adoptive parents, and adopted child throughout the child’s childhood through pictures, letters and face-to-face visits.
The degree of openness in an adoption is determined by the relationship built and wanted by the birth parent and adoptive family. The ultimate decision is made by the birth parent(s) of the child.
In New York State, birth parent(s) and adoptive parents are able to have a court enforceable Post Adoption Contact Agreement that detailes the minimum requirements of the post-adoption relationship. The Agreement indicates the type and frequency of contact between the birth parent(s) and adoptive family. It typically includes a schedule for sharing pictures and letters with the birth family and the frequency of face-to-face visits between the birth parent(s) and adoptive family. The Agreement obligates the adoptive parents to comply, however, does not obligate the birth parent to comply. Thus, for example, if the birth parent decides he/she does not wish for a face-to-face visit, he/she is not required by the court to visit with the adoptive family. However, if the birth parent wishes for the visit and the adoptive parents refuse, the court will intervene and require the adoptive parent to comply with the agreement. In addition, this Agreement only specifies the minimum requirements for post-adoption contact. If the birth parent and adoptive family build a strong relationship and wish for additional contact, that is permitted.
Family Connections, Inc., is an authorized New York State adoption agency that has a domestic infant placement program that supports birth parent and adoptive parent choices. Many of the agency's birth parents wish for semi-open or open adoptions. If you would like to learn more about the agency's program or open adoption, please contact Dan or Angela at 607-756-6574 or info@adoptfamilyconnections.org. You can also request a free consultation by clicking below. We look forward to supporting your adoption plan.
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