In continuing to educate those of you who may be new to the adoption world, today I bring you the different types of adoption.

Basically there are three main types of adoption although each term is broad and varies for each individual situation.

The three types of adoption are:

1. Open adoption



2. Semi open adoption



3. Closed adoption

Let’s be backwards and start with closed adoption as it is probably the easiest to define. It is an adoption where no one knows much of anything about each other. The adoptive parents may only be basic general information on the birthmother and a birthmother will not know anything about the adoptive family. Closed adoptions are typically associated more with adoptions in previous generations than nowadays. It was simply the only choice for many older birthmoms. Any other type of adoption was unheard of. In today’s era of adoptions, choosing a closed adoption is uncommon.

Semi open adoptions are typically adoptions where some kind of information is known about both the adoptive parents and birthparents. The birthparents and adoptive parents may meet and there is usually some kind of ongoing contact such as pictures, between the adoptive parents and birthparents, often through a third party such as a social worker or adoption agency. There is also an exchange of non identifying information, such as first names or the state of residency. Birthmothers who feel knowing too much information about where their child is, who is raising him or her, etc may choose a semi open adoption and still get to see their child through pictures.

Open adoption is a pretty broad term covering adoptions where generally birthparents have chosen the adoptive parents. Open adoptions can include (but do not always include) the following:

• Exchange of identifying information such as first and last names, telephone numbers, addresses, etc



• Ongoing contact that is usually direct between adoptive parents and birthparents which can include visits, telephone calls, exchange of emails, videos, pictures, etc.

Many in the adoption community feel open adoption is better for the child in the majority of cases.

It’s important to note that both semi open and open adoptions are not legally enforceable so they can close at any time for a number of reasons.