A Guide to Open Adoption
Open adoption is when birth and adoptive families maintain on-going contact after placement. This can include sharing photos, updates, letters, and visits. Every open adoption is unique, with contact levels that you and the adoptive family decide together, based on what’s most comfortable for everyone involved.
Free, confidential, and available 24/7
What Does Open Adoption Offer?
Open adoption is one option, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Some birth parents feel comfortable with ongoing contact, while others prefer limited contact or a closed adoption. You can still work with Spence-Chapin regardless of the level of openness you choose.
If you are considering open adoption, here are some of the ways it can benefit everyone involved:
For Your Child: Open adoption can give your child access to information about their birth family, culture, and story, which may help support their sense of identity as they grow.
For You as a Birth Parent: Open adoption can allow you to stay connected to your child in a way that feels comfortable for you and receive updates about how they are doing.
For the Adoptive Family: Open adoption can help adoptive parents better understand their child’s birth story, family background, and important connections.
Spence-Chapin’s adoptive families are educated about open adoption and the many different ways these relationships can look. During the matching process, we also consider how both you and the prospective adoptive family envision your relationship so that expectations around openness and contact are aligned.
How Does Open Adoption Work?
Each open adoption is unique, allowing both birth and adoptive families to choose the right level of contact that feels best for everyone involved. Here’s what you can expect:
Flexible Communication: You and the adoptive parents can decide what level of contact feels right. This could include in-person visits, photos, letters, and phone calls.
Customized to Your Needs: Open adoption can evolve over time. Some families begin with occasional updates, which may grow into more frequent contact as a child gets older.
Honesty and Transparency: The goal is to ensure your child grows up knowing about you and their birth story and has access to their birth parents when inevitable questions arise.
Benefits of Open Adoption
Open adoption can offer meaningful benefits for some birth parents, children, and adoptive families. Here are a few to consider:
For Your Child: Open adoption can give your child access to information about their birth family, background, and story as they grow. Depending on the level of openness you choose, they may also have the opportunity to maintain a connection with you.
For You as a Birth Parent: Open adoption can give you the opportunity to stay connected to your child and receive updates about their life in a way that feels comfortable for you.
For the Adoptive Family: Open adoption can help adoptive parents better understand their child’s history and maintain important connections to their birth family, helping them support their child as they grow and develop their sense of identity.
Is Open Adoption Right for You?
If you’re thinking about open adoption, consider these questions:
- Are you interested in maintaining a connection with your child?
- Do you want your child to grow up understanding their background and story?
- Would having a relationship with the adoptive family provide peace of mind?
If any of these feel important to you, open adoption could be the right choice.
Isabella's Story
Why birth parents trust Spence-Chapin
Since 1908, Spence-Chapin has supported birth parents through one of the most significant decisions of their lives. For over a century, we have been guided by a simple belief: that every person who comes to us deserves honest information, compassionate support, and the freedom to make the choice that is right for them.
Our process is birth parent-led from beginning to end. That means you are always in control. You choose whether to explore adoption or other options. You choose the family. You have your own independent attorney provided at no cost. And you can change your mind at any point before the adoption is finalized.
All of our services are completely free and confidential. We are licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Arizona, and our counselors are available around the clock, every day of the year. Whatever you are facing, you do not have to face it alone.
-
Birth Parent Led Process
You make every decision. We Support you. -
Since 1908
Over a century of compassionate support. -
Always Free
Every service, at no cost to you. -
Licensed in NY, NJ and AZ
In-person and virtual options. -
Available 24/7
Day or night, every day of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Adoption
Is open adoption the same for every family?
No, each open adoption is unique. You and the adoptive parents work together to decide on the level of contact that works best.
Can the level of openness change over time?
Yes! The type and level of contact is likely to evolve as both your families grow.
What if I’m unsure about how open adoption might work for me?
Many birth parents feel uncertain at first. Our team is here to guide you, answer questions, and help you feel confident in making the best decision for you and your child.