Adoption is the legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent or parents other than the birth (or "biological") mother or father. An adoption order has the effect of severing the parental responsibilities and rights of the birth parent(s) and transferring those responsibilities and rights to the adoptive parent(s). After the finalization of an adoption, there is no legal difference between adopted children and those born to the parents.

There are several kinds of adoption, which can be defined both by effect - such as whether the adoption is open or closed - and/or by location and the origin of the child, such as domestic or international adoption. Each of these has its own features and rules.

However, beyond the initial placement of the child into adoption, there are continuing issues that surround adoption, such as identity, search and reunion, language use, media, and cultural views of adoption.

Types of Adoption:

OPEN ADOPTION

An OPEN ADOPTION is one in which last names, addresses, and telephone numbers typically are exchanged and the birth parent/s, the adoptive family, and, in some cases, the child may visit on a regular basis. In a fully open adoption, the birth parent/s and the adoptive family know each other and have ongoing communication about the child.

SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION

In a SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION, communication is more limited. Last names, addresses, and telephone numbers usually are not exchanged, sharing of photos or other information is less frequent, and all communication takes place through a third party, usually the adoption agency.

CLOSED ADOPTION

In a CLOSED ADOPTION, no identifying information about the birth family or the adoptive family is shared, and the families do not communicate. The adoptive family usually receives non-identifying background information about the child and the birth family before placement. After adoption, the records are sealed and typically are not available to the adopted child.

IDENTIFIED ADOPTION

In this type of adoption, the birth mother has identified the family whom she wishes to adopt her child.

INDEPENDENT ADOPTIONS

These adoptions are arranged through an intermediary, such as a lawyer or a physician, rather than through a licensed adoption agency. The intermediary may find the birth mother, who plans to place her child for adoption, or may help the birth mother locate a family interested in adopting her child. NOTE: Independent adoptions are not legal in all states; check with your state department of social services.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

These are adoptions of children who were born in or are nationals of other countries.

HOME OR ADOPTION STUDY

A home study, also called an adoption study, is a written description of you and your family prepared by an adoption agency or private adoption professional. It is used to determine which child would best fit into your home. The home study process should be an educational and enlightening experience for the prospective adoptive family.

Having a study performed by an adoption agency or licensed social worker often is the best way to proceed. The type of adoption likely will influence who should perform the home study. It is important to choose the appropriate adoption agency or licensed social worker to do your study so it will be accepted by the court. Check with office of social services for guidance in this area. You can expect some or all of the following to be part of the process.

• interviews with the parent/s individually and together (if a couple)
• group meetings involving several applicant families (many agencies do this)
• autobiographies written by each parent
• a home visit
• medical reports from your physician
• references from friends and associates
• proof of employment
• investigations into any criminal record, including the state's child abuse registry
• participation in adoption information training classes
• personal finance information
• copies of tax returns

In the course of the home study process, you will have the opportunity to talk with your social worker about the following topics:

• why you want to adopt
• your readiness to parent
• your family's values
• your hopes and expectations for the adoptive child
• your family's strengths and weaknesses
• how your family handles crises and change
• where you'll get support or professional help, if needed

It's quite possible that, as you move through the adoption process, you'll be working with more than one social worker.

PRE-PLACEMENT

This is the period of time after your home study is completed and before your child comes home.

PLACEMENT

Placement occurs when the child you plan to adopt moves into your home.

FOSTER/ADOPT PLACEMENT

A child is placed with the foster/adopt family before the birth parents' rights have been legally terminated so there is still a possibility that the child may be reunited with his or her birth family. If the birth family's parental rights are terminated, the foster/adopt family will be considered the adoptive family for the child.

POST-PLACEMENT

This is the time after the child has been placed in your home and before finalization. The social worker doing post-placement supervision will visit your home several times during the 6 to 12 months between placement and finalization to provide support for you and your child and to help you get other professional assistance, if needed, to make the placement successful. A certain number of visits are required by the courts before the adoption can be finalized.

FINALIZATION

This is when the court takes the necessary action to make the child a legal member of your family. Usually, your whole family will go to court with your adoption worker or lawyer.

POST-ADOPTION

This is not a specific period of time; instead, it is the active, rewarding, and challenging process of living as a family after the adoption has been legally finalized.

ADOPTION EXCHANGES

These organizations are designed to provide connections between prospective adoptive parents and adoption agencies that place children. Many states have their own state-operated exchange that keeps a listing of adoptable children waiting in their foster care system, as well as families who have completed their adoption home study with a state agency. Many states publish a photo listing book of the children waiting in their state.

Regional, national, and international exchanges are non-profit organizations that serve waiting children and families in more than one state. They often publish in print or on the Internet (if they have a website) a photo listing of waiting children, provide other services to help recruit adoptive families, make connections between prospective adoptive families and the agencies who have custody of the waiting children, and provide adoption information to prospective families. Some exchanges also list families who have completed home studies and are waiting to adopt.