How Open Adoption Works [in Arizona]

When you are considering adoption in Arizona, one of the first things you will need to decide is whether you want an open or closed adoption. What are the differences between the two, exactly? Here are some points to consider:

• Open adoption gives you full control of your adoption process.
• Closed adoption keeps your decision anonymous and private.
• Open adoption allows you to build a lifelong bond with the adoptive family and your child.
• Closed adoption limits your choices.

The decision is ultimately up to you, the prospective birth mother. In this article, we will explore the different levels of openness in an Arizona open adoption, its benefits, your options for open and closed adoptions and more. American Adoptions of Arizona wants to help you choose what is best for you and your child.

If you would like to learn more about open adoption in Arizona, then give us a call at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with one of our experienced adoption professionals. You can also get free adoption information now. Hopeful adoptive families looking for more information on how to adopt a child can fill out our online contact form here.

In the meantime, here is what you need to know about open adoptions in Arizona.

What Is Open Adoption in Arizona [Different Levels of Openness]?

If you are considering adoption in Arizona, then you may have found yourself wondering, “What is an open adoption? How does open adoption work in Arizona?” The short and sweet answer is that it can be completely what you make of it. An open adoption definition, hence its name, lies on a scale of openness.

There are varying levels of openness in adoption in Arizona. For instance, there is semi-open adoption, which lies somewhere in the middle of that scale. This type of adoption typically involves exchanging basic information, including:

• First names of both the adoptive and birth parents
• Known medical history of the birth family
• Mediated communication, including letters, emails or photos, through American Adoptions of Arizona

A more open adoption in Arizona could look like:

• Sharing contact information, such as phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses
• In-person visits for special occasions, such as birthdays and holidays
• Direct communication, including phone calls, video chats and photos

All hopeful adoptive families that work with American Adoptions of Arizona have agreed to open adoption ahead of time. This means that they are comfortable directly contacting you, sharing photos with you and visiting in person after placement. But, it is up to you how open you would like your Arizona adoption to be.

If you feel ready to begin your search for the right adoptive family, then contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with one of our trusted professionals. Or, fill out our online contact form here.

What You Need to Know about Closed Adoption in Arizona

A definition of open adoption vastly differs from that of closed adoption in Arizona. This is when there is little to no shared identifying information between both the birth family and the adoptive parents. For many years, people widely believed this was the best way to go about adoption in Arizona. Since then, though, this has been disproven as the most beneficial type of adoption, except when the child’s safety is at risk.

When closed adoptions were common, birth parents never knew if their child was happily growing up in a loving household. Adoptees did not have any knowledge of their medical history or why they were placed for adoption. In other words, they were left completely in the dark. If they wanted to meet their birth parents later in life, then it proved remarkably difficult.

Fortunately, nearly 90% of adoptions in Arizona today are open adoptions. Although closed adoption could be the right path for your particular situation, American Adoptions of Arizona strongly encourages open adoption in Arizona when possible.

Open Adoption Benefits for You and Your Child in Arizona

There are many misunderstandings surrounding open adoption in Arizona. But, here are some facts about open adoption:

• Open adoption gives you the opportunity to share potentially life-saving medical history with your child and the adoptive family.
• Open adoption is not co-parenting; the adoptive family has all parental rights.
• Open adoption allows you to watch your child grow up happy and healthy.
• Open adoption creates a lifelong bond with your child and the adoptive family.

There are many open adoption benefits in Arizona for all parties involved. Many birth parents discover that choosing open adoption in the Grand Canyon State eases their minds after placement. They get to watch their child grow up in a loving environment with a caring family. Birth parents and adoptive families remain beautifully connected as significant parts of each other’s lives.

“It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,” Jah, a birth mother, said. “However, staying in touch with the adoptive parents and seeing my son healthy and happy reminds me that adoption wasn’t the only choice, it was the best choice.”

American Adoptions of Arizona agrees with experts’ recommendations that a greater amount of openness in adoption benefits the birth parents, adoptive family and especially the adoptee. It is why, whenever possible, we recommend open adoption in Arizona. It is also important to work with an adoption agency, such as American Adoptions of Arizona, that provides post-placement support for navigating your relationship with your child and the adoptive family.

If for some reason you lose contact with the adoptive family and are unable to reach them, then American Adoptions of Arizona can hold all correspondence for them for up to 18 years.

Our staff comprises adoptees, birth parents and adoptive families, so our personal adoption experience helps us understand what open adoption is really like. This means we can provide the best guidance, benefits and support possible.

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If you feel ready to start your open adoption journey in Arizona today, then don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with one of our trusted, experienced adoption professionals. American Adoptions of Arizona would love to help you in any way at any time! You can also fill out our online contact form to get free adoption information now. Hopeful adoptive families who want to adopt a child in Arizona can also get free information now.

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