What Is Open Adoption?
Open adoption is a form of adoption where the birth parents and adoptive parents maintain ongoing contact before and/or after placement. This contact can take many forms—letters, photos, video calls, social media updates, or even in-person visits—depending on what all parties are comfortable with.
Unlike closed adoptions, where identifying information and communication are sealed, open adoption focuses on transparency, connection, and relationship-building between the child’s birth family and adoptive family.
At its heart, open adoption recognizes that adoption does not erase biology—it adds to it. It allows children to grow up with a fuller understanding of their identity, history, and story.
The Evolution of Adoption in America
For much of the 20th century, most adoptions were closed. Birth records were sealed, and children were often raised with little or no knowledge about their biological families.
In the past few decades, however, the adoption community—professionals, agencies, and families alike—has recognized the benefits of openness and honesty in adoption.
Today, about 60–70% of domestic adoptions in the United States have some level of openness. Adoption agencies and ministries like Adoption Finder encourage open communication that prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved—especially the child.
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Why Open Adoption Matters
Open adoption offers powerful benefits for birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptees.
1. Benefits for the Child
- Identity and Belonging: Children who grow up with openness have direct access to their story. They know where they came from and can develop a healthy sense of identity.
- Emotional Security: When a child knows their birth parents cared enough to stay connected, it reinforces that they were placed out of love—not rejection.
- Access to Medical History: Open adoption provides ongoing communication for sharing updated medical or genetic information, which can be vital as the child grows.
2. Benefits for Birth Parents
- Peace of Mind: Knowing how their child is doing can bring comfort and healing.
- Continued Relationship: Open adoption allows a birth parent to remain involved in a healthy, agreed-upon way—watching their child grow and thrive.
- Support and Healing: Open adoption replaces secrecy with honesty, helping birth parents process grief and find hope after placement.
3. Benefits for Adoptive Parents
- Deeper Understanding: Adoptive families gain insight into their child’s background, personality, and heritage.
- Less Fear and More Trust: Openness replaces uncertainty with mutual respect and communication.
- Support Network: A strong relationship with birth parents can create a larger circle of love around the child.
Common Myths About Open Adoption
Even with the benefits, there are still misconceptions about what open adoption means. Let’s clarify a few of the most common myths.
Myth 1: Open adoption confuses the child.
In truth, openness helps prevent confusion. When children grow up knowing they were adopted and that their birth parents love them, they can process their story naturally over time rather than uncovering painful secrets later.
Myth 2: Birth parents might try to “take the child back.”
Once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents have full legal rights. Open adoption is about communication, not custody.
Myth 3: Open adoption means co-parenting.
It doesn’t. It’s about maintaining healthy contact and communication—not shared parenting responsibilities.
Myth 4: Adoptive parents might feel threatened.
In reality, open adoption often strengthens relationships. When everyone understands their roles and communicates openly, there’s mutual respect and gratitude on both sides.
Levels of Openness
Open adoption is not one-size-fits-all. It exists on a spectrum:
- Fully Open Adoption: Birth and adoptive families share identifying information, stay in touch directly, and may visit in person.
- Semi-Open Adoption: Communication happens through letters, photos, or emails—often facilitated by an agency or adoption organization.
- Closed Adoption: There is no ongoing contact, and identifying details remain confidential.
At Adoption Finder, families are encouraged to explore what level of openness feels comfortable, while always keeping the child’s best interest at the center.
How to Build a Healthy Open Adoption Relationship
Open adoption works best when both families commit to trust, consistency, and boundaries.
Here are a few key principles for success:
- Set Clear Expectations Early
Talk about what type of contact everyone desires—frequency of updates, methods of communication, and boundaries around holidays or visits. - Use an Adoption Agreement
Many agencies and ministries help families create a written plan outlining expectations. While not always legally binding, it helps maintain clarity. - Keep Communication Child-Centered
The goal is not to meet adult needs but to prioritize the child’s emotional health and identity. - Be Flexible
Relationships evolve. What feels comfortable today may change as the child grows. - Show Grace and Understanding
Adoption relationships are built on love, but they can also be complex. A spirit of patience and forgiveness goes a long way.
The Role of Faith and Community
At Adoption Finder, we believe that adoption reflects the heart of God’s love and redemption. It models grace, humility, and sacrificial love from everyone involved.
As Scripture reminds us in Romans 8:15 (ESV), “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Adoption is part of God’s story—His way of bringing families together and demonstrating unconditional love. When birth and adoptive families work together in unity, it mirrors the beauty of that divine relationship.
How Adoption Finder Supports Open Adoption
Adoption Finder exists to make the adoption journey transparent, educational, and supported from start to finish.
We offer:
- Educational resources for birth parents, adoptive families, and foster youth.
- Adoption readiness checklists and training guides for churches, agencies, and organizations.
- Ongoing post-placement support, including mentoring and community groups.
- Christian-based encouragement, focusing on love, compassion, and lifelong connection.
Our mission is to reimagine adoption by helping families navigate the process with knowledge, empathy, and faith.
Final Thoughts
Open adoption is not always easy—but it is beautiful, redemptive, and healing.
It takes courage for a birth parent to choose adoption, faith for adoptive parents to open their hearts, and love for everyone to put the child first.
Through honest communication, mutual respect, and ongoing support, open adoption creates a network of love that helps children grow up confident in who they are and where they come from.
If you’re considering adoption—or simply want to learn more—Adoption Finder is here to walk with you every step of the way.
Learn More
Visit AdoptionFinder.org to explore resources, download free adoption guides, or connect with one of our support mentors today.