ABC's of ADOPTION, Inc.

NOT FOR PROFIT ADOPTION and REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AGENCY

                                              Glossary of terms

                          

Up About the Agency Adopting Families Home study services Available situations Education Opportunity Contacting us

Types of Adoption

Open adoption: An adoption that involves ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families, including visits.

Semi-open adoption: An adoption in which a child's birth parents and pre-adoptive parents may exchange information. After the child is placed in the adoptive home, contact with the birth family may involve letters or pictures or other communications sent through the intermediary of the adoption agency or the attorney who assisted in the placement, or directed. Semi-open adoptions cover all variations of contact and information exchange that exist between fully closed and fully open adoptions.

Closed adoption: An adoption that involves total confidentiality and sealed records.

Independent adoption: An adoption facilitated by those other than caseworkers associated with an agency. Facilitators may be attorneys, physicians, or other intermediaries. In some States independent adoptions are illegal.

 

 Copyright © 2003 ABC's of ADOPTION, Inc.  Except where noted, no part of this website may be copied, duplicated, or reproduced in any form without the express written consent of ABC's of Adoption, Inc., and/or participating agency.