FAQs

In open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents exchange identifying information about each other and have ongoing contact after the baby is placed for adoption.

In closed adoption, adoptive parents and birthparents don’t share their names or contact address and have no ongoing contact after the born is born.

Yes, it all depends on the couples’ wants and needs. Open adoption relationships range from semi-open (exchanging identifying information before the placement but having limited contact afterwards)  to fully open (exchanging identifying information prior to the birth of the child and exchanging phone calls, emails and visits afterwards).

Each case is different. The nature and degree of contact depends on you. Your adoption worker can give you more advice and guidance.

The adoptive parents and birth parents do together, based on the interests of the child and their own comfort zone.

Again, it’s up to the two parties to lay out the parameters. Those parameters can change over time, depending on the individual situation and the individuals involved. One thing open adoption isn’t is co-parenting.

Studies show that there are huge benefits for all members of the triad, especially to the adopted child. Openness allows adoptees to know who they are and where they came from, giving them self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.

Open adoption gives prospective birth parents and adoptive parents control over the selection process and the chance to have a personal relationship after the birth of the child.

As in any family, each party will have its own ideas about the best way to raise a child, and about the frequency and level of contact that is best between the child and his or her birth parents.

In most states, open adoption agreements are non-binding so it’s really up to the two parties to come to a consensus based on the best interests of their child.

The reasons vary from one birth parent to the next. As a rule, most birth parents opt for open adoption because it lets them create an adoption plan for their baby, choose their baby’s parents and be part of his or her life as he or she gets older.

Again, each situation is different. In general, most adoptive parents choose open adoption because it gives them more control over the matching process, offers them the chance to parent a child from birth, and allows them to have more detailed information about their child’s family and medical history.

The fees range, depending on the circumstances. For adoptive parents, the fees start at about $30,000. It depends on whether you’re working with an agency or an attorney and your outreach and birthparents expenses.  There is no fee for birth parents. In fact, depending on which state they live in, expectant parents may be eligible for pregnancy-related financial assistance.

Each case is different. It depends on how quickly the two sides can complete their paperwork and go through the placement process. In general, placements usually occur shortly after the birth of the baby.

Most of the children in open adoption are newborns or infants.

The birth parents and the adoptive parents often choose one together. After the placement, adoptive parents will get a new birth certificate issued with their child’s name on it.

Adoption is a lifelong journey. A child will always have a connection to his birth parents, even if they aren’t directly involved in raising him directly. Keeping in touch is one way to honor and celebrate that connection and to deal with any questions your child may have as he or she grows up.

No, in fact the opposite is true. Children understand clearly the difference between the parents who gave them birth and those who raised them. In open adoption, a child not only knows why he or she was placed for adoption, he or she has the ability to speak to his birthparents directly about their decision.

No, most adoptees are content to be where they are. For those in an open adoption, it’s the only life they’ve known. And most birthparents have no interest in interfering in the raising of their child. If they had wanted to raise their child themselves, they would have. But they felt they were either unable or not ready to do so, and that’s why they chose adoption. The relationship that adoptees and adoptive parents have with birthparents is similar to the kind you would have with a close or extended family member.

Unless they can show that the adoption was made as a result of fraud or under duress, a relinquishment is irrevocable.

The  most successful adoptions are those where the adoptive parents and birth parents put their child’s interest before their own and maintain an open and honest relationship.