What Is an Open Adoption in Alabama?

If you’ve chosen to place your baby up for adoption, you may think it means you’re telling your child, “goodbye” forever. It doesn’t have to be that way, however, as you can choose open adoption in Alabama.

You may be asking, “What’s an open adoption in Alabama?” The open adoption definition in Alabama is it’s an agreement between birth parents and the adoptive family that allows open contact following placement in the adoptive home. Open adoption in Alabama lets you build a relationship with your child through continued communication.

Thanks to open adoption in Alabama, you can give your child a bright future and create a strong bond. Open adoption in Alabama is the norm now due to its many benefits. To learn more about these benefits, just complete our online form.

Now, read on to learn about the differences between closed, semi-open, and open adoption in Alabama and how each type can shape your bond with your child and the adoptive family.

What is an Open Adoption in Alabama?

Open adoption in Alabama is a beautiful thing. At the heart of every open adoption in Alabama, you’ll find a shared love among the parties that grows out of mutual interest for the child’s wellbeing. That’s one of the reasons that open adoptions in Alabama are routine now. Simply put, everyone involved benefits from them.   

Consider some of the advantages of open adoptions in Alabama:

  • Your child will grow up knowing their heritage and history.
  • You can watch your child grow and develop with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’re loved.
  • You can provide critical information about family medical history if your child ever needs medical care.
  • You can easily gain access to adoption records to learn details about your child’s life.
  • You can connect regularly with your child, including through in-person meetings.
  • Your child is insulated from feelings of abandonment that may come from closed adoption.
  • Your child will have an extended family to provide needed support throughout their lifetime.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Open Adoption in Alabama?

You may have heard a few supposed drawbacks attributed to open adoptions in Alabama. The truth is, as a birth mother, you have a right to choose closed adoption. But most open adoptions in Alabama are positive for all parties. In fact, most adoption professionals recommend open adoption in Alabama because of its benefits.  

What does open adoption mean in Alabama? Choosing open adoption in Alabama gives you control over your decision. You set your open adoption terms, which include things like the amount of information you share, what information you share, and how often you communicate with your child.

Agreements for open adoption in Alabama are tailored to your personal situation and wishes. That said, many birth parents and adoptive parents share some basic information in an open adoption in Alabama, such as:

  • Detailed contact information so birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adoptee can remain in touch
  • Family medical history for both birth parents
  • In-person visits on special occasions like holidays
  • Direct contact between the parties involved

You get to choose the best family to raise your kid regardless of the kind of adoption you’ve selected. If open adoption in Alabama sounds right for you, look for agencies that handle open adoption in Alabama.

Below are some agencies in Alabama that work with birth mothers to facilitate open adoptions in AL.

What is a semi-open adoption in Alabama?

Semi-open adoption in Alabama is like open adoption in Alabama, but the scope is more limited. There’s some communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents, but the information exchanged in semi-open adoption in Alabama is often less detailed.

The communication between the parties in semi-open adoption in Alabama isn’t always direct. Some cases of semi-open adoption in Alabama are mediated by an adoption professional who acts as a go-between. The information exchanged may only include details like:

  • First names of birth parents and adoptive families
  • Basic medical information and family medical history for the adoptee
  • Details about birth parents, like biographical information or geographic location

If you want to see your child grow and develop from afar without direct contact, semi-open adoption in Alabama may be right for you.

What is a closed adoption in Alabama?

Some birth mothers want no contact with a child or their adoptive family after placement, and that’s okay. In those cases, closed adoption in Alabama offers that kind of arrangement. Closed adoption features no exchange of information, though the birth mother can allow her child to find her at the age of 18.

Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption in Alabama

The main distinction between open vs. closed adoption in Alabama is the amount of contact shared by the parties. In open adoption in AL, any contact that’s agreed upon is fine. In a closed adoption, there’s no information shared at all, and there’s no post-placement contact between the parties.  

When considering closed adoption vs. open adoption in Alabama, you should know some outcomes of closed adoption may negatively impact you and your child, such as:

  • Birth parents don’t know if their children are healthy and happy.
  • Adoptees lack family medical history.
  • Adoptees may experience feelings of abandonment.
  • It can be difficult (or impossible) for birth parents and children to meet in the future.

Closed adoptions were once routine, but the benefits of open adoption in Alabama have made it the new norm. Also, the supposed benefits of closed adoptions have been thoroughly debunked, making open adoption in Alabama the preference of most birth mothers. 

You can still choose closed vs. open adoption in Alabama if you really think it’s best for you and your baby, especially if ongoing contact creates safety issues for the child.

Are Open Adoptions in Alabama Enforceable by Law?

Agreements for open adoptions in Alabama, also known as post-adoption contract agreements or PACAs, are not addressed in state adoption law. However, it’s important to note that though PACAs may not be legally enforceable, legally binding agreements aren’t usually necessary. That’s because the parties in the open adoption in Alabama share a commitment to the adoptee’s best interest and will maintain contact voluntarily. 

Open adoptions in Alabama are born from a spirit of cooperation between the birth parents and adoptive parents. Adoptive parents and birth parents in open adoption in Alabama aren’t co-parenting, but they both love the child and want to work together in the child’s best interest. To learn more about open adoption in Alabama, it’s wise to speak with a licensed adoption professional to find out how the law may apply to your situation.

Finding Out More about Open Adoption in Alabama

Still wondering, “What is open adoption in Alabama?” It means many things to many different people. However, open adoption has become the norm for a good reason, as it benefits all parties. For birth mothers like you, there are few (if any) drawbacks in keeping in contact with your child and seeing them grow within their adoptive family.

Open adoption in Alabama may not be right for you, and the choice is yours. Your decision is profoundly personal, and its impacts will resonate for you and your unborn child in the future.

To get guidance from adoption professionals when choosing the type of adoption arrangement you want, simply complete our online form when you’re ready.

About the Author

Lindsay Arielle has been a proud birth mother since placing her son for adoption in 2011. Her post-placement agreement has always been an open adoption. She loves the time she gets to spend with her son and his parents during visits. Lindsay truly believes that for herself and her family, adoption has been a blessing, and she enjoys writing about spiritual healing for birth mothers.

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