Types of Adoption

Note: Over 90% of adoptions that take place in the United States have some level of openness while closed adoptions occur less than 10% of the time.

Closed Adoption

Closed adoptions are adoptions where birthparents and adoptive parents have no contact with each other. The child's medical records and history are given to the adoptive parents, but otherwise the child is provided little or no knowledge of his/her biological parents.

Semi-Closed Adoption

In semi-closed adoptions, birthparents and adoptive parents may meet a couple of times in the beginning stages of the adoption, but do not provide each other with any identifying information (full names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.). The child may be provided non-identifying pictures and letters over the years.

Open Adoption

Open adoption allows birthparents to select the adoptive family who will raise their child. The birthparents and adoptive family will exchange personal information and make agreements, with the help of an adoption agency or attorney, as to what level of contact they will have throughout the child's life.