Legal Definitions - closed adoption

A closed adoption is a type of adoption where there is no exchange of identifying information between the birth parents and the adoptive parents, and no ongoing contact or communication between them after the adoption is finalized. In a closed adoption, the records pertaining to the birth parents are typically sealed, meaning the adopted child usually does not have access to information about their birth parents until they reach adulthood, and even then, access may be restricted by law.

Here are some examples to illustrate a closed adoption:

• Example 1: Infant Adoption for Privacy

  A young woman, Sarah, decides to place her newborn baby for adoption. She chooses a closed adoption because she wishes for complete anonymity and wants to move forward with her life without any future contact or communication with the adoptive family. The adoption agency facilitates the placement without sharing any identifying details about Sarah with the prospective adoptive parents, nor will Sarah receive any information about the family who adopts her child.

  This illustrates a closed adoption because Sarah's identity remains private, and there will be no ongoing communication or relationship between her and the adopted child or the adoptive family after the adoption is legally completed.

• Example 2: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care

  Mr. and Mrs. Chen adopt a seven-year-old boy, Daniel, who has been in the foster care system for several years. Daniel's birth parents have a history of instability and have explicitly requested a closed adoption to ensure their privacy and to allow Daniel to fully integrate into his new family without potential disruptions or confusion. The court finalizes the adoption with the understanding that no identifying information or contact will be shared between the birth parents and the Chen family.

  This is a closed adoption because the birth parents' identifying information is not disclosed to Mr. and Mrs. Chen, and there will be no direct communication or contact between the birth parents and Daniel or his adoptive family, prioritizing Daniel's stability and privacy in his new home.

• Example 3: International Adoption with Legal Restrictions

  Maria and David adopt a baby girl from a foreign country. Due to the specific legal practices and privacy laws in the child's country of origin, the adoption is processed as a closed adoption. They receive no identifying information about the birth parents, such as names or addresses, and there are no provisions or legal avenues for future contact or communication between the birth family and the adopted child or adoptive family.

  This exemplifies a closed adoption because the adoptive parents have no identifying details about the birth parents, and the legal framework governing the adoption prevents any future communication or relationship between the birth family and the adopted child or adoptive family.