Levels of Contact

There are three main levels of contact that must be kept in mind when adopting a child.  Knowing the amount of contact the adoptive child and adoptive family will have with the birth parents is essential.  This leaves no room for surprises and makes everyones role in the child's life clear early on.

There are three main levels of contact that take place in an adoption situation. They are:

1. Closed adoption: This is an adoption in which there is no contact with the birth family of the adopted child.  Also, closed adoptions include total confidentiality and sealed adoption records.
2. Semi-open adoption: This is an adoption in which a child's birth parents and pre-adoptive parents may exchange primarily non-identifying information.  After the child is placed in the adoptive home, contact with the birth family may involve letters or pictures or other communications sent through a mediator (likely the adoption agency or an attorney).
3. Open adoption: This is a form of adoption in which there is some degree of contact between the birth family and the adoptive family.  This contact can range from letters and telephone calls to visits.  Contact can occur with the families moderating it themselves or with the adoption agency acting as an intermediary.