A closed adoption is an agreement between a birth parent and family not to maintain contact. It can help maintain privacy and unity, but it presents risks such as disrupted identity.

Not everyone realizes adoption isn’t the only way to exit the foster care system. The Children’s Bureau reported approximately 176,745 children exiting foster care in 2024 alone. Approximately 45% were reunited with their family, and 5% went to live with a relative. A further 27% were adopted.

Many prospective adoptive parents may also not realize that there is more than one type of adoption. Choosing the right one is important to maintaining a unified family system.

What Is a Closed Adoption?

A closed adoption is an agreement for the birth mother and adoptive family to have no contact with each other after the process is completed.

There’s no identifying information exchanged. Court records are sealed. There’s also limited or no access to family history.

Closed vs. Open Adoption

Comparing closed vs. open adoption helps you understand the differences and decide which one is right for you.

Unlike closed adoptions, open adoptions allow the adoptive family and the birth mother to maintain contact. They may also be able to reach out to the father.

Instead of agreeing to no contact, both sides agree on the type and level of communication. It could include:

• Photos
• Emails
• Supervised visits

Open and Closed Adoption Benefits

There are benefits to an open adoption. Knowing where they came from can give children a strong sense of identity. It can also reduce a sense of separation for birth mothers. This can be missing in closed adoptions.

Remember that there are three parties to juggle during an adoption. You have to consider the best interests of the:

• Birth mother
• Child
• Adoptive family

There are times when cutting off contact with their birth parents can be the right choice. There are closed adoption benefits to consider for both the adoptive family and the birth parents.

It may be the right choice for unsafe living situations such as domestic violence or addiction. Closing contact protects children from the dangers these situations create.

There may also be situations where you want to keep the adoption a secret. Both sides get to maintain their privacy.

There’s no potential for disruption or disagreements about how to raise children from the birth parents. There aren’t as many emotional complexities to navigate.

Is Open or Closed Adoption Better?

Choosing an adoption type is one of the most important decisions for potential adoptive parents and birth mothers.

Factors to consider include:

• Your comfort with ongoing contact
• Your intended relationship with the birth family
• The child’s needs
• Religious and traditional differences

Remember that adoption is also customizable. You don’t have to go fully open or fully closed. You could create a semi-open agreement with limited contact. Think about what works best for your new potential family.

Adoption Process

Find a trustworthy, experienced adoption agency. They can help you choose the right type. It begins with pre-adoption counseling and support.

Then, they can guide you through the adoption process. It begins with legal clearances and termination of parental rights.

The next step is matching. It’s essential to ensure that each child and family is the right fit.

Home studies are one of the most important parts. They ensure your home is ready to take on a new child. Expect your adoption agency in Naples to come to your home to examine it.

You’ll also have to work through the financial side of the process. This means more than figuring out how to pay for everything. An adoption agency in Tampa can help you work through your finances and educate you about unexpected costs. They can also help you determine whether you can apply for and how to use the post-adoption tax credit.

The adoption process doesn’t end once a child is placed. A reputable adoption agency in Ft Lauderdale will continue to work with you. They’ll help maintain your family harmony once the new family member moves in.

They can offer post-adoption services such as:

• Counseling
• Support and peer groups
• Education and resources
• Case management
• Crisis intervention

Frequently Asked Questions

How Common is Closed Adoption?

Closed adoptions used to be the most common type. There was so much stigma around single motherhood that women wanted to do everything they could to hide it.

Now, the tables have turned. Almost all adoptions are open.

Can Closed Adoptions Ever Be Opened?

No, you can’t easily reopen a closed adoption. Most states require a complex legal process to make this happen. This makes deciding on the right type of adoption one of the most important adoption legal considerations.

However, everything begins to change when an adopted child turns 18 years old. Adult adoptees are free to search for any information about their families they can find.

Is It Possible to Find Siblings That Were Put In a Closed Adoption?

Yes, it is possible if you look in the right places. An adoption agency in Orlando may not open the records you need, but there are other ways. One of the best places to start is an adoption registry. Try the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR).

You can also ask the court to release records related to your adoption after you turn 18. This could help you find not only your birth parents but also any siblings involved in a closed adoption. Resources such as DNA databases can also offer more information.

See if Closed Adoption Is Right for You Today

A closed adoption is a process where children are adopted with no contact with or knowledge of their birth parents. It can create privacy and protect against dangerous situations. Take the time to consider whether it’s the right type of adoption for you.

Heart of Adoptions, Inc. is a private adoption agency in Florida. We’ve been creating families since 2001. We ensure that all clients have the best possible experience, including:

• Birth mothers
• Children
• Hopeful adoptive families

Our dedicated support and legal staff treat everyone with dignity and respect. Contact us today to explore your options.