Choosing to adopt and give a child in need a home is exciting. Adoption comes with many decisions to make, including the type of adoption you prefer. Your adoption can be open or closed, with significant differences between the two.
Understanding the two choices makes it easier to determine which is right for your family.
What is an open adoption?
Open adoptions are more common now than they were in the past. The open adoption process brings both birth and adoptive parents together, shares contact information and encourages ongoing communication between the two. This process allows children to grow up with a full understanding of their identity, their medical histories and both families. Some adoptive parents hesitate to choose open adoption out of concern that it may disrupt their ability to bond with the child.
What is a closed adoption?
A closed adoption seals both parties’ records so that neither parent knows the identity of the other. The birth parent has no information about the adoptive family and vice versa. Sometimes this is beneficial, especially when you have safety concerns. Adoptive parents sometimes prefer a closed adoption to eliminate the anxiety and fear of a birth parent showing up to try to take their child back. Closed adoption does pose challenges with medical histories and hereditary conditions.
Consider your family’s needs as you welcome a child into your home. An attorney can help guide you through deciding which is right for you if you are unsure, or you may find that you are open to either choice.
