United States/Domestic Adoption Program: Openness in Adoption

Communication between you and the birth parents can range from complete anonymity to ongoing, direct contact. The level of openness in any adoption is a personal decision. There are several options to be considered:

An Open Adoption allows birth parents and adoptive parents to have the freedom to interact without the involvement of the agency. Identifying information is shared and you stay in contact with the family and your child over the years, through visits, telephone calls, and letters.

A Semi-Open Adoption includes sharing of non-identifying information between the birth parents and the adoptive family through the adoption agency. The agency facilitates an initial meeting of the expectant parent(s) and adoptive family, prior to the birth of the baby. Only first names are exchanged. Letters, photographs, and gifts may be shared through the agency. If both parties wish to have post-placement meetings, these too would be arranged by the agency.

In a Confidential Adoption, the adoptive parents and birth parents never know one another. Birth and adoptive parents share only medical and social background (non-identifying) information before placement; however, there are no plans for any further sharing of information or contact. Birth records are closed at the time of adoption. Opening confidential adoption records is regulated by state law.