Questions about adoption

Does the birth father have to be involved in the adoption? (U.S.A.)

Adoption professionals always encourage birth father participation in the adoption process. If the birth father is not supportive, or chooses not to participate in the adoption, that is OK. In most states, the birth father will be notified of the adoption, however the adoption can still proceed if he chooses not to sign a consent to adoption or be involved in any way.

Do birth parents regret their decision?

There are many emotions that correspond with adoption. Regret is one of those emotions that is unpredictable. However, birth parents who know that they can choose a family that they are comfortable with and creating an adoption plan that meets their needs will help them feel confident about their adoption. Adoption is a very difficult decision and it is normal for birth parents to question their thoughts and feeling throughout the process. A qualified adoption professional or adoption counselor can help birth parents process their emotions throughout the adoption process by helping birth parents focus on all the reasons they chose adoption and what opportunities adoption has to offer their child.

Can I Ask for More Information about the Child I Want to Adopt?

Most children's agencies can provide more information about a child than they are able to include on a flyer, newspaper article, or website description. However, some of the child's information is considered confidential, and workers may want to share it only with those families they are seriously considering as adoptive parents.

Can the Biological Parents Come Back to Take a Child?

In order for a child to be adopted, the birth parents have to relinquish legal parental rights. With most agency adoptions, a child is already legally free for adoption before a placement occurs. While cases where a parent changes his/her mind (usually before an adoption is finalized) are highly publicized, they occur infrequently. Once the adoption has been finalized, the biological parents have no legal tie to the child.