You and Adoption

The law allows adoptive parents to pay costs of prenatal care, childbirth and newborn care.

You are probably visiting this website because you are pregnant and not sure you're ready to be a parent. You may be considering adoption. The decision to place a child for adoption is never an easy one, but many people find that it is the best choice for the child. Like the decision to parent a child, it takes courage and much love to decide to place a child for adoption.

Talking with someone at a licensed adoption agency or with a lawyer who specializes in adoption may help you figure out if adoption is in the best interest of you and your baby. They can tell you more about the actual adoption process, but just because you talk to them does not mean you're promising to place your child for adoption. You can get information from agencies and lawyers without making that plan. It's just another way to collect information so that you can make a well-informed decision.

There are two different types of adoption, closed and open.

  • Closed adoption is an adoption in which all identifying information about the birth parents is sealed in agency and court records. Non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties. In a closed adoption, there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families.
  • Open adoption is an adoption in which there is contact and exchange of identifying information between birth and adoptive families. Open adoption allows birth parents to maintain a connection with a child after placement in an adoptive family. It offers a range of options, and there is no single open arrangement that is right for everyone because everyone's situation is unique.

Once finalized, all types are permanent and will shape the relationship you will have with your child forever. The adoptive parents will raise your child and have full legal rights as the child's parents, but you will have a great deal of choice in selecting the parents or family for your child whether you go through an adoption agency or a lawyer. The information on this website is designed to help you as you make this difficult decision. There are plenty of public and private organizations available to answer any questions you have about adoption. To find adoption resources in your area, click here.  

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