Types of Adoption

Are you interested in adopting a child? Do you want to bring a parentless child into your home and welcome them to your family? Most people adopt a child because they want to give love and support to someone who for whatever reason does not have parents of his or her own. Infertility is another situation in which a couple would consider adoption.

When beginning the adoption process, there is an important decision to make about openness.

There are three different adoption types: open, closed, and semi-open adoptions.

A closed adoption would keep any information regarding the adoptive family and the birth mother confidential, and there would be no contact either before or after the placement of the child. Closed domestic adoptions are very rare, but most international adoptions are closed.

An open adoption usually means that the adoptive family and the birth parents speak before and after the birth of the child. The birth parents may be entitled to phone calls or personal visits as the child grows. If this is of interest to you, a domestic adoption would be the case. This is impossible with international adoptions.

A semi-open adoption is a combination of the two. The two families will know basic information about each other, such as first names and general location, but complete information such as phone numbers, addresses, and last names are not shared. After the child is born, the parents may stay in contact through letters and pictures, but this would be handled by a third party such as an adoption agency so as to keep contact information private. Again, most semi-open adoptions are domestic.

Regardless of the type, once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive family is identified as the child’s legal family.

As always, Rauseolaw is here in Essex County and Middlesex County to guide you through the legal process should you need any assistance or information. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.