Adoption is a method of creating a family through nonbiological means. Often, adoption means that the rights of the biological parent are terminated, although there are exceptions to this rule. There are many different kinds of adoption.

open vs closed adoption

In an open adoption, the adoptive parents and the biological parents are aware of each other’s identities. In a closed adoption, the identities of the parents are not disclosed.

Relative and Stepparent Adoption

The most common types of adoption are relative and stepparent adoption. Often, relative or stepparent adoption is arranged after the child has been living with the prospective parent(s) for sometime. This could be a result of many things, including a death in the family, lack of financial and emotional stability, safety of the child, relocation for work, and many other scenarios.

Agency Adoption

In an agency adoption, a state-licensed agency obtains custody of a child so they can be adopted by a family later on. The agency’s responsibilities are governed under state statutes, regulations, and licensing laws. Agencies can adopt a child either through involuntary termination of parental rights or through a parent voluntarily surrendering their child to the agency for adoption, in which case they will usually provide parents with counseling beforehand. Agencies must take special efforts to place the child with relatives and must also conduct home studies before placing children with adoptive parents. After the child has been placed, the agency is responsible for ensuring that the home meets the child’s needs.

Direct Placement Adoption

In a direct placement adoption (also called independent or private adoption) the child is placed directly with the adoptive parents without prior surrender to an agency. The biological parent may be involved in choosing the adoptive parents. Parental rights for biological parents in direct placement adoption must be terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily via a legal order.

International Adoption

International adoptions involving the United States are governed by the Hague Convention on Adoptions. In an international adoption, the country of origin must approve the adoption and provide proper documentation. However, if the country of origin does not approve the Hague Convention, the rules are very different. Because the regulations governing international adoption are relatively new, they are still being tested and new interpretations are being developed.