Types of Adoption

Each adoption situation is unique and will dictate a different type of relationship. Birth parents and adoptive families should educate themselves about open, closed and semi-open adoption agreements and evaluate how comfortable they feel with each type of adoption.

Every adoption falls on a spectrum from open to closed. In closed adoptions, no identifying information is disclosed, and after the adoption is finalized, no contact is maintained between birth parents, the adoptive family and the adoptee. In open adoptions, adoptive families and birth parents exchange personal information, communicate with each other on their own and even sometimes arrange for visits. Semi-open adoptions are adoptions that fall in the middle of the open to closed spectrum. Often, an Adoption Professional like those at American Adoptions will act as a liaison for contact by receiving, repackaging and sending letters or pictures between adoptive families and birth mothers so that personal information remains confidential.

There are many decisions to be made during the adoption process, but one of the most important is the type of contact that will be maintained by the birth parents, the adoptive family and the adoptee. The decision isn’t an easy one, but the Adoption Professionals at American Adoptions can help you determine what makes you feel comfortable.

Open Adoption

Each adoptive family and birth parent that has been brought together through adoption has a unique relationship and situation that will dictate a different type of relationship. Birth parents and adoptive families should educate themselves about open, closed and semi-open adoption agreements and evaluate how comfortable they feel with each type of adoption.

Semi-Open Adoption

For birth parents and adoptive families, it is important to choose the type of adoption they would like to complete early on in their adoption process. Choosing between an open, closed or semi-open adoption can be a difficult decision. Adoptive families and birth mothers need to determine what type of contact they feel comfortable with in order to move forward with the adoption process.

Closed Adoption

There are many decisions to be made during the adoption process, but one of the most important is the type of contact that will be maintained by the birth parents, the adoptive family and the adoptee. Choosing the right type of contact is a personal decision and largely depends on the birth parent’s level of comfort with either an open, closed or semi-open adoption.


  • What is the total cost for the entire adoption?

    There are several factors that determine the total cost for an adoption, including the program you choose. Variables such as medical bills, birth mother expenses and legal fees vary for each adoption. We strive to maintain affordable adoptions without cutting corners. Please see the Our Domestic Adoption Programs section for further details.

  • Can we choose the gender of our baby?

    Have your heart set on a bouncing baby boy or a new little princess? American Adoptions now offers a gender-specific option for families hoping for a specific gender. With this option families would pay an additional Gender-Specific Fee to help our agency locate and work with birth mothers meeting this additional criteria. Please note that gender specificity may increase wait time. This fee is in addition to all other program fees and is not considered part of your adoption budget. Please contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION for minimum budget details.

  • Do we need to retain our own attorney?

    No - American Adoptions has established relationships with some of the best adoption attorneys in the nation. It is important to note that adoption laws vary state-to-state and often even county-to-county. As such, it is important to utilize the services of an attorney that specializes in adoption in the state the adoption will finalize in, which we will not know until you are matched with an expectant mother. Retaining your own attorney at this time is not necessary and may be an additional expense to you that is not needed.

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  • Adoption Glossary

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