Types of Adoption

Open Adoption, Semi-Open Adoption, and Closed Adoption

When we 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 Las Vegas, 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:

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:

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! Adoption Choices of Nevada would love to answer any of your questions about types of adoption, and to assist you in making an adoption plan that will work for you. 

LGBT, Transracial, Single Parent, and Interstate Adoption

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
  • Transracial Adoption
  • Single Parent Adoption
  • Interstate Adoption

Also referred to as same sex adoption or gay adoption is when a child is adopted by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT+) people. This may be via two dads, two moms, or single LGBT+ members who wish to become parents.

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 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.

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.

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.

Adoption Choices of Nevada would love to answer any of your questions about types of adoption, and to assist you in making an adoption plan that will work for you. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free)

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