As per family laws, an open adoption is a process where a non-biological parent tries to get custody of a child but the birth parents may still have some form of contact with the child.
However, there can be different types of adoption, depending upon an array of factors. Following is a brief rundown on six different forms.
Stepparent Adoptions
As compared to other forms, this type of adoption is usually not very complicated, especially if none of the biological parents have any objection. Things become complex only when one of them is not willing to allow a stepparent to gain custody of the child.
Identified Adoptions
In this process, the adoptive parents and the biological parents locate each other and reach a mutual agreement regarding the custody of child. They can then meet an adoption agency to make sure that all legal requirements are thoroughly fulfilled.
Independent Adoptions
In cases, where no adoption agency is contacted and the process takes place independently, this is termed as independent adoption as per family laws. Such situations usually involve an agreement between the adoptive parents and the biological parents who meet all legal requirements with the help of a clergyman, family law expert, or doctor.
International Adoptions
When someone adopts a child who is a foreign citizen, it is termed as international adoption. In these cases, the adoptive parents have to fulfill the adoption requirements in both countries – the country where they are residing and the country where the child is a citizen of. This type of child adoption also requires the adoptive parents to obtain an immigrant visa for the child who they are taking custody of.
Relative Adoptions
Family laws in the United States of America also have specific provisions for relative adoptions, where a child is adopted by a member of the family. This type of child adoption usually occur when the actual parents are not able to take care of the child, such as when they are drug or alcohol addict and are undertaking a faith based treatment, are spending time in jail because of some crime they have been convicted for, and any other such situation. Relative adoption of child also becomes a possibility when the actual parents die.
Agency Adoptions
These are the most common types of adoptions where a couple contacts a state-approved agency when they want to adopt a child. The agency helps them gain the custody of a child by fulfilling all necessary legal formalities on their behalf.
Gay adoptions are not legalized in all states. States like Florida have put ban on any such thing while Washington DC with nine other states have permitted this type of adoption and have made room for relevant provisions in family laws applicable to those states.
However if it happened that you’re an adoptee trying to find birth parents, accessing your sealed adoption records is a first step. You just must do so to achieve this properly!