Definition of an Open Adoption

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An open adoption is a type of adoption where both identifying and non-identifying information about the adoptive parents and the birth parents are shared with each other and where the adopted child has the opportunity to develop a relationship with the birth parents. This can include last names, addresses, and telephone numbers, medical history, etc.

In an open adoption, the birth parents have the ability to choose the level of contact they wish to have with the child. Every adoption of this type will be different, based on the type of relationship that the birth parents and the adoptive parents have agreed to. In some open adoptions, the birth parent and the adoptive family know each other and have ongoing communication about the child. Pictures and letters can be exchanged. Visits between the adoptive parents and the birth parents can occur. The adoptive parents may be allowed to be present for the delivery of the child.

Neither the birth parents nor the adoptive parents are forced to participate in an open adoption if that is not something they are comfortable with.