How to Choose the Right Type of Adoption

With so many types of adoptions available it may feel overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Information is key in deciding which type of process is best for your family. Make sure you do enough research about each type of adoption and weigh their pros and cons. Ask your adoption agency, family lawyer and other experts about the costs of each, how much time the process will take, the risks associated with the process, and any other question you may have. Talk with other adoptive parents and ask about their experience, join Facebook groups, look for bloggers online and YouTube videos. Keep in mind that everyone has their own expectations about the process and every adoption will not always be the same.

Types of Adoptions in the United States

Open Adoption

In an open adoption there is some form of communication between the birth parents, the adoptive parents and the adopted child. The level of contact varies and can be decided between the adoptive and birth family. Some families choose to only share pictures or an occasional phone call, while others like to be more involved like inviting the birth family to important events in the child’s life. In adoptions with older children there may be more communication and interaction with the birth family, the child may already know them or have their contact information. The decision about how much contact you have with the birth family should not be taken lightly, consider how much interaction you are comfortable with and what is best for you and the child’s future.

Closed Adoption

A closed adoption is one where neither party involved in the process has any personal identifying information about each other. There is no information shared about the birth family other than relevant medical history. The birth and adoptive families never meet during the process and there is never any form of direct contact between them. This adoption is done through an agency, the birth mother surrenders their child to the agency and the agency chooses the adoptive family. The adopted child doesn’t have any information about their birth family either. Once the adoption is finalized the records are sealed by the court.

Fost-Adopt

In fost-adopt programs, social services place a child in a home where the family is interested in eventually adopting the child. Once the child’s biological parent’s rights have been permanently terminated, the foster family can proceed with the adoption. Before the child is legally free to be adopted the family acts as their foster parents. If you’re considering this type of adoption, ask the social worker about the different risks and what is the possibility that the court will decide to reunite the child with their biological family.

Intercountry Adoption

International adoptions occur when a child from a different country is adopted by U.S. citizens and the child is brought to the United States to live here permanently. According to the State government’s website there are certain requirements to be able to adopt a child from a different country. Other governmental paperwork is also needed to legally bring a child to live to the United States. A family law and immigration attorney can assist you with this adoption process to make sure that you submit all the necessary paperwork and satisfy the government’s requirements to make this a successful adoption.

Adoptions can feel overwhelming, but once you are familiar with the process and requirements you should be able to make the decision that fits best with your family’s goals. Whatever type of adoption you choose fully commit to it and be hopeful that at the end of the process you will have formed a loving and happy family.