Types of Adoption in Kansas: An Overview

When deciding to pursue adoption as a birthmother, the first thing to determine is which type of adoption arrangement suits you best. Generally, there are three types of adoption to choose from–closed, semi-open, and open—which respectively describe the level of interaction and contact the birth mother can expect to take place with the adoptive parents both during and after the adoption process. The following is an overview of these three options, each of which are explored in greater detail:

• Closed adoptions provide the least amount of interaction and contact between the birthmother and adoptive parents. With this type of adoption there is no contact between the parties involved. A meeting never takes place between birthmother and adoptive parents, nor do they ever gain any information about each other.  Under such circumstances, the birthmother voluntarily gives her child to an adoption agency and does not receive any information whatsoever regarding the family adopting the child or the child’s whereabouts, and all records identifying the birth parents are sealed by the court.  The only information disclosed to the adoptive family about the birthmother is her medical history. This type of adoption has decreased in popularity and declined substantially in recent years, largely due to the fact that birthmothers nowadays desire to be involved in determining who or what family will raise the child.

• Semi-open adoptions allow birthmothers to be more actively involved in the adoption process, and are generally given some choice about which adoptive parents will be chosen for the child. Typically in semi-open adoptions, birthmothers are given numerous files of potential adoptive parents to review. They are then given the choice to decide which family they feel will be the most suitable for the child.  Such profiles contain extensive information about each potential adoptive family, however, identifying information such as last names, addresses, etc, will not be disclosed to the birthmother. In semi-open adoptions, contact between the birthmother and her chosen adoptive parents may vary greatly depending on the personal preferences of both parties. While some families prefer to be in touch with each another prior to the birth of the child, other choose to be uninvolved and remain anonymous throughout the entire process. Contact between the birth and adoptive parents ceases completely once the child is finally placed with their new family.

• Open adoption provides the most communication and disclosure between the birthmother and adoptive parents. With this type of adoption, contact information of both the birthmother and potential adoptive parents is shared.  There are no barriers in place to prevent parties from reaching out to one another, whether before or after the adoption is finalized. Sometimes, an open adoption may start out as a semi-open adoption, where the birthparents review anonymous files of potential adoptive parents. Once the birthparents narrow down their selections, they then meet with this group where more personal information may be revealed. When a final choice is made by the birthparents, generally both parties mutually decide to share contact information, and oftentimes even remain in contact once the adoption is finalized. Also, in cases where the birthmother has not yet given birth, the adoptive parents may be invited to participate in the birth, or preparations for labor.  Following the adoption, it is common that some form of regular contact is established between the birthparents and the adoptive family.   For some, this contact may occur in the form of e-mail, written letters, or sending updates with pictures only.  Generally, no in-person contact is allowed between the child and birthmother until the child becomes older.

If you are a birthparent seeking to place your child for adoption, call McDowell Chartered legal services at 316-269-0746 for more information about the legal rights of you and your child, how to get started with process, and handling the overall matter successfully.