Open Adoption, Semi-Open Adoption, and Closed Adoption
When Adoption Choices of Nevada discuss “type of adoption” we are referring to a few different elements. One includes the level of openness you wish to maintain with the adoptive family and sub sequentially your child. Levels of openness can include open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption.
Today, open adoptions are the most common type of adoptive relationship. In an open adoption in Nevada, the child’s birth parents and adoptive parents know each other’s full names and share direct contact information. Open adoption allows a relationship to be formed and grown between the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the child. Like any other relationship, they mutually decide what it will be like.
Open adoptions can have varying degrees of contact. The amount and form of communication is determined by the adoption agreement that is created at the beginning of the process. A benefit to open adoption is that you get to stay connected and can answer important questions later on. It also may ease any sense of guilt and help you heal. If you are worried about your child and his or her new family, open adoption allows you to see your child happy, healthy and safe.
Some common ways that we often see adoptive families and birth families interact after an open adoption include:
- Exchanging letters and pictures directly
- Occasional visits between the two families
- Staying in touch via social media (Facebook, etc)
- Photo sharing
In many open adoptions, the adoptive parents will even be present at the hospital for the child’s birth. The parties can then decide who will be in the delivery room, provide care for the baby, have access to the nursery, and name the baby. For many adoptive parents, being present for the child’s birth is a great way to start the process of developing lifelong memories.
In closed adoptions, the parties do not share full names. The parties do not have an opportunity to communicate. There is no communication between you and your child or the adoptive family. This may be the option you want to take if you want full closure on your end. There is also more privacy with this option.
There are a couple of disadvantages to a closed adoption, such as:
- These limitations on the freedom to communicate can cause an issue if the child encounters any medical problems down the road, or if they have any questions as they get older about their birth parents and family.
- Most birth mothers prefer an open adoption. Your options will be limited by choosing a closed adoption.
- A closed adoption is difficult to reverse. Many times, at some point in the future, you or your child may want to establish a relationship with the birth parents. With a closed adoption, this is nearly impossible.
If an open adoption makes you nervous and a closed adoption seems too limiting, there’s a third option – a semi-open adoption. In Vegas, a semi-open adoption is an adoption in which birth parents and adoptive parents communicate through an intermediary, generally an adoption agency.
Open, closed and semi-open adoptions in Nevada can be a lot easier with an experienced professional at your side!
We would love to answer any of your questions about our adoption program and services. We would love to assist you in making an adoption plan that will work for you. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) or locally at 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) or locally at 775-825-4673 (Reno).
Other Types of Adoption in Nevada
Also when referring to the “type of adoption“, we may also refer to a particular type of adoptive family that you want to adopt your child. This type of adoption might include the following types of families:
LGBT Adoption
Also referred to as same sex adoption or gay adoption. When a child is adopted children by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) people. This may be via two dads, two moms or single LGBT members who wish to become parents.
Transracial Adoption
A child, who is of one race or ethnicity, is adopted by adoptive parents of another race or ethnicity. For example, if a white family adopts a black baby or vice versa.
Single Parent Adoption
Single parent adoptions are legal in all 50 states. Those wishing to adopt may do so, married or not, and share all of the rights that a married couple has. While single parents share all of the same rights as married parents when it comes to adoption, they must also uphold the same responsibilities. Just as married couples must provide a safe, secure and financially stable home to an adopted child, the same is expected from an unmarried person.
Interstate Adoption
If a Nevada family wishes to adopt a child from another state, they must comply with ICPC requirements. If an adoption does not comply with the ICPC, the adopted child may not leave his or her state of birth to go to their new home. Everything must be in alignment. This means that prospective adoptive parents may be required to remain in their child’s birth state for several days or weeks, depending on how long it takes for clearance to be granted.
Second Parent Adoption
When a woman gives birth to a child, her partner or spouse won’t share the same legal parental rights even if both of their names are on the child’s birth certificate. This is the same with lesbian and gay couples who choose adoption outside sperm and egg donors. While they both can begin the process together, only one partner can adopt the child at a time. In the eyes of the law, one is considered the legal parent while the other is seen as the non-legal parent.
If the non-legal parent wishes to share equal parental rights as their spouse or life-partner, they must petition the courts to adopt the child individually. Under second parent adoptions, both parents are protected. Neither of them must terminate or relinquish their rights in the process.
We would love to answer any of your questions about our adoption program and services. We would love to assist you in making an adoption plan that will work for you. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) or locally at 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) or locally at 775-825-4673 (Reno).