Confidential or Closed Adoption:

Semi-Open Adoption:

Open Adoption:

Agency decides which family the child is placed with.

Birth and adoptive parents do not disclose any identifying information [full names and addresses].

Adoptive family receives birth family's medical history up to the point of placement.

No contact between the adoptive family and birth family.

Access to finding a birthparent is limited by law and must be by mutual agreement at the time the child is of legal age.

Birthparents choose a family from written, non-identifying material provided by the agency.

An agency or third party mediates the contact between the parties before and after the birth.

Birthparents and adoptive parents known on first name basis only.

Adoptive parents may be present at the birth and may have met the birthparents before the birth.

All correspondence is sent through the agency or third party.

Post-placement meetings are arranged and supervised by the mediator.

Adoptive parents often share the child's pictures and letters with the birthparents, but may also include gifts, videotapes, etc.

Birthparents meet potential adoptive families before making their selection.

Birth and adoptive families fully disclose identifying information [names and addresses] at the appropriate time.

There may be ongoing contact through attending the birth, visiting the home, special occasions, etc.

Direct correspondence between the families via mail, phone & face-to-face.

Total confidentiality is legally provided for adoptive parents and birthparents.

A semi-open adoption gives everyone the freedom to communicate through a trained mediator.

Current information can be passed on with ease.

A child's adoption story continues beyond birth, and his or her questions can be answered as they arise.

Everyone involved in an open adoption communicates directly, without a third-party.

Allows both families to nurture their relationship as it naturally develops.

Information is shared more easily in an open adoption.

No ongoing exchange of information unless court ordered in the case of a medical emergency.

Difficult for child to answer questions about his origins.

Difficult to gain needed information.

Adoptive parents and child may desire to meet birth parents later in life.

A semi-open arrangement is worth considering because it maintains confidentiality while providing limited communication.

Adoptive families and birth families feel "married" to the third party.

Adoptive parents and birthparents may become uncomfortable with the level and type of birth family participation in the life of the child.

Differing family styles and cultures may cause discomfort.

When the birthparents' and adoptive parents' desire for a confidential adoption is honored.

When critical information regarding the birthparents' history [including medical information] is shared at the time of placement.

Arranging a confidential adoption through a reputable agency.

Trust and sensitivity to each other's position is key.

Birthparents need to trust the adoptive family will love child as their own and accept their role as defined by the agreement.

A semi-open adoption is most successful when adoptive families are open to discovering how best to include birthparents in the life of the child.

Adoptive parents accept birthparent participation to enhance the life of their child, and can say "no" to birthparents without fear of jeopardizing their relationship.

Birthparents need to be mature enough to understand the need for boundaries.

Open adoption is most easily understood in the context of an "extended family" relationship.