Adoption Terminology 101

Many families new to the adoption process often find themselves inundated with unfamiliar words and phrases commonly used in the adoption world. While some adoption terms may be familiar, there are many words and phrases that often leave waiting families scratching the heads and wondering what they mean.

The following is a list of commonly used adoption words and phrases:

Adoptee: Any person who has been adopted.

Adoption Facilitator: Unlicensed organizations or individuals offering adoption services, illegal in many states.

Adoption Triad/Triangle: The three parties involved in an adoption (adoptee, adoptive parents and birth parents).

Adoptive Parent: Someone who legally assumes parental rights/responsibilities for an adopted child or children.

Birth Mother/Birth Father/ Birth Parents: Biological mother or father of a child that is adopted or planning to be adopted (sometimes referred to as natural or first mother/father).

Closed Adoption: Adoption in which confidentiality of both adoptive parents and birth parents are protected under the law, the courts seal all records.

Consent: The legal document signed by the birth mother and birth father allowing their child to be placed for adoption (also referred to as a surrender or relinquishment).

Finalization: Court action that grants permanent legal custody of a child to the adoptive parents.

Home Study: A study that is conducted on all prospective adoptive parents by an authorized adoption professional in their state. A home study is normally completed prior to placement of a child in the home and validates suitability to adopt for the courts.

Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC): The legal compact between states that allows for the placement of children for adoption across state lines. Required when the birth mother and adoptive parents reside in different states.

Living Expenses: Expenses in adoption that help the birth parents with items such as rent, food, clothing and utilities. Living expenses are provided by prospective adoptive parents and are provided based on the birth parents' needs and state laws.

Match: When a birth mother and adoptive family are connected in anticipation that the birth mother will place her baby with that adoptive family.

Open Adoption: An adoption where birth parents and adoptive parents meet, names and addresses may be exchanged and communication may continue indefinitely; terms of open adoptions vary greatly depending on the needs and comfort levels of everyone involved.

Post-Placement Visits: Meetings and interviews with an adoptive family once a child has been placed with them that is typically conducted by the professional who completed the home study.

Semi-Open Adoption/Semi-Closed Adoption: Adoption where the adoptive family and birth parents may talk, meet and have correspondence after the adoption, but little or no identifying information is exchanged. At American Adoptions, we assist adoptive families and birth parents in semi-open adoptions by handling all correspondence through the agency.

Connect With Other Waiting Families!

The American Adoptions forum gives families the unique opportunity to connect with fellow waiting couples, as well as other adoptive families who all too well what it's like to wait for "the" phone call. Share your excitement, joys and even seek support from others who are also on their own adoption journey.

Registration is free and easy. Visit the forum today!

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