What is Adoption and How Does it Work?

Adoption can be defined as a legal (and social) transfer in which a baby or child obtains adoptive parents. Once the biological parents choose a family to adopt their child (although birth parents don't always wish to choose), give informed consent by signing a form following the baby's birth (if the child is an infant) and the process is complete, they no longer have custody of the child. Sometimes under special circumstances, birth parents don't have to give consent to the adoption, if their legal rights have been terminated for some reason, such as abuse or neglect.

The prospective adoptive parents are required to undergo a 'home study' (or 'family study') before the final decision on whether or not the adoption should be approved. The home study is basically an evaluation of the prospective adoptive parents to be certain they are suitable, financially stable and prepared to adopt a child. It also helps to educate the adoptive parents about what to expect with adoption and raising the adopted child. The home study process and requirements vary depending on where you live and what agency you go through.

Following the adoption hearing, court approval and finalization of the adoption, the adoptive parents become the child's legal guardian and have full responsibility of the child, including physical, emotional and financial support. The adoption process varies from state to state, therefore it is important to learn about the adoption laws in your state if you're considering adoption. Once a child is adopted, he or she becomes a part of the adoptive parent's family and in terms of the law, the child becomes just as much the adoptive parent's child as any other children they may have. The adoptive parents become responsible for making all decisions about the child's upbringing and future. Adoption is a loving choice by the birth parents as well as the adoptive family.

There are many different types of adoption. Types of adoption include: waiting child adoption, step-parent adoption, single parent adoption, foster parent adoption, special needs adoption, family or relative adoption (including grandparent adoption), domestic infant/newborn adoption or domestic older child adoption, international adoption, military/overseas adoption and even more non-traditional adoption such as embryo adoption. There are also different levels of openness in adoption. The amount of openness varies, but the main three levels are: open, semi-open and closed adoption. In some situations, birth parents maintain ongoing contact after the adoption is finalized, while other situations there is no communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents, even during the adoption process. Read more on

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