Adoption Terminology

Learning Adoption Terminology is a great way to prepare for your adoption journey.

Abandonment

This term applies to circumstances when a parent fails to provide for a child. A failure to provide can mean failing to provide financially, failing to maintain a relationship with the child, or maintaining ongoing contact with the child for a certain period of time. Each state has its own definition of what constitutes abandonment, but it typically spans a period of anything from 6 months, up to one year.

Active Reunion Registry

An active reunion registry (Florida), refers to the type of registry where members of an Adoption Triad can register their information. Contact between the parties initially takes place using an intermediary, to ensure confidentiality. The intermediary is usually an agency employee or a party employed by the court. It is the intermediary’s job to contact the person to let them know a Triad member is wishing to get in contact with them. Information is only released if all parties are in agreement.

Adoptee

Refers to the adopted person, (usually a child, but anyone at any age can be adopted). This term is not usually used after the adoption as the child is treated, and referred to as “our/my son or daughter”.

Adoption

Adoption is the term for the act of legally creating a family relationship between the child and the parents. The Adoptee gains all the legal rights that a child born biologically to the parents would have.

Adoption Agency – See also Private Adoption Agency

Adoption Agencies facilitate adoption in the state where they have a license to operate. They are also able to facilitate adoptions in all states which honor the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA). Some Adoption agencies have a license to facilitate both domestic and international adoptions.

Adoption Attorney

An adoption attorney is an attorney who specializes in family law and holds a license in one or more states. Adoption facilitated by an adoption agency needs to have an adoption attorney prepare and file the necessary legal paperwork. Attorneys usually handle step-parent adoption or adoptions where the Triad have already agreed upon the adoption among themselves, for example adopting a child from a family member or an acquaintance.

Adoption Certification

This term is not used in every state, but it refers to adoptive parents who have completed their criminal and financial background checks and have a completed, approved Home Study report.

Adoption Consultant

Another word for a facilitator. Whatever term is used, an adoption entity must hold a valid license.

Adoption Decree – See also Decree to Adoption

Refers to the legal document signed by the judge finalizing the adoption. It legally and formally gives the Adoptive Child and the Adoptive Parents the same legal relationship enjoyed by biological parents and child. The decree will also legally change the child’s name to a name chosen by the Adoptive Parents which will be certified with an issuance of a new Birth Certificate. The Adoptive Parents now assume the legal responsibility for caring for the adoptive child, just as they would a biological child.

Adoption Disruption

Adoption Disruption occurs when an adoption fails after finalization. Disruptions occur when an older child does not adjust well to their new home. The term also refers to situations in infant adoption when a Birth Mother changes her mind after her birth and decides to parent.

Adoption Dissolution

Refers to the legal process of dissolving a legal adoption.

Adoption Exchanges

This is a term, not used in every state, which refers to an organization that facilitates adoptions. The exchange often helps to recruit parents for children in the care system or children with special needs. Many states maintain websites where they post profiles of prospective adoptive children.

Adoption Facilitator

Simply put, an entity that facilitates adoption. Usually, a licensed Adoption Agency or Adoption competent family law attorney.

Adoption Fee Agreement

The Adoption Agency should disclose the adoption costs in the form of a fee agreement. A fee agreement should itemize what fees will be paid when the fees are paid, and the methods of payment.

Adoption Insurance

Adoption insurance or adoption cancellation insurance may be available to purchase by adoptive parents. The policy will cover some of the costs traditionally incurred during the adoption process. A policy usually pays out if the adoption is disrupted due to a Birth Mother’s decision to parent after the baby is born. Ask your Adoption Agency for more information.

Adoption Petition

An Adoption finalizes only after an Adoption Petition is files with the court. The Adoption Petition is usually filed in the county where the biological parent’s parental rights were terminated. This occurs within 60 days of the termination of rights. Unless the adoption is a relative or step-parent adoption, finalization occurs no sooner than 90 days after a child places with their adoptive parents. An adoption competent family law attorney prepares and files the Adoption Petition with the court.

Adoption Placement

Refers to the child being placed in the home of the adoptive parents. At this point, the Adoption Agency retains legal custody of the child. Legal custody does not pass to the adoptive parents until “Finalization.”

Adoption Plan

A good Adoption Agency will help Birth Parents make an individualized adoption plan. An Adoption Plan is a written document that is modified as needed throughout the process. There are no hard and fast rules about how detailed the plan will be. Much depends on the willingness of the Birth Parents to participate in the process. A detailed plan will include but is not limited to:

• Addressing reasons for the decision to place for adoption.
• Addressing the Birth Parents’ choice of the adoptive parents.
• Choice of adoption, open, closed or semi-open.
• How will pay for Birth Mother’s living expenses, and for how long.
• Who will pay for post-adoption counseling.
• How often contact or updates will occur and for how long.
• Who will be in the delivery room or at the hospital.
• If the Adoptive Parents may bond with the baby in the Birth Mom’s room or other designated area.
• Who may hold the baby at the hospital.
• How much contact Birth Mom wants with Baby after birth.

Adoption Records

Refers to documentation pertaining to the adoption. These records may be public, such as cord records, or private as in the case of confidential records kept by an Adoption Agency. Each state may have different laws on the public disclosure and handling of these records.

Adoption Reversal

See Dissolution

Adoption Tax Credit

Federal Adoption Tax Credits have been available since 1997 but have changed year upon year. For some years the tax credit has been fully refundable, and in others, it could only be used to offset taxes owed. The offset could be used and spread over several years.

In 2013, the Federal Adoption Tax Credit was made permanent. Good news for all adoptive parents. The only time the credit cannot be claimed is for Step-parent Adoptions. Federal Tax Codes change all the time and it is a good idea to check for any changes or updates. The Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2022 is $14,440.00 (for applicants who qualify). As previously stated, the 2013 credit can be used to offset taxes for up to five years. See the FAQ sheet on the IRS website for more details, and contact your accountant to see if you qualify.

Adoption Tax Identification Number

It is possible to apply for an Adoption Tax ID number when a child has been placed in the Adoptive Parent’s home, and adoption is pending. In addition, the child may be able to be claimed as a dependent when filing taxes. Check with your tax preparer for full details, and to see if you qualify.

Adoption Triad – see also Triad

The term Triad refers to the relationship between the three parties in the adoption, the Baby, Birth Mother, and the Adoptive Parents.

Adoptive Parent

The term adoptive parents describe parents who are currently seeking to adopt or are in the process of adopting. After adoption finalization, the adoptive parents are referred to as Parents!

Affidavit

A written statement, sworn under oath to be true and correct and notarized by a Notary Public.

Affidavit of Good Moral Character

This is a written, notarized statement made by prospective Adoptive Parents, stating they are of good moral character. This statement occurs through a form that is provided by the Adoption Agency during the Home Study process. The adoptive parents must swear an oath that the information is true and correct with a Notary Public. Affidavit of Good Moral Character- Florida

Agency

In the case of adoptions, this refers to the Adoption Agency.

Amended Birth Certificate

Refers to the new birth certificate issued to the child after the adoption finalization. The new birth certificate refers to the child by the name chosen by the adoptive parents. This may be different to the name chosen by the Birth Parents. The birth certificate is the same, in appearance, as if the child were the biological child born to the adoptive parents. Information contained on the birth certificate will appear in public records. A child’s original birth certificate is sealed for privacy, but is not destroyed, and is viewable by court order only. Florida Birth Certificate.

“At Risk” Adoption Placement

The court considers adoptions to be “At Risk” as the child typically places with the prospective adoptive parents after the Birth Parents sign the consent for adoption, but before the court legally terminates the Birth Parents’ parental rights. The “risk” being the chance that the court chooses not terminate parental rights for various reasons and places the child back with the birth parents. Termination of parent rights occurs typically within 30 to 90 days after placement.

At Risk Adoption:  http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0063/Sections/0063.092.html

Attachment

Refers to the bond formed between child and caregivers, usually primary caregivers such as parents. The process of bonding and forming attachment begins in early infancy and firmly established by about age 5. A child who does not have an opportunity to form a bond and attach to its caregivers may have difficulty forming close relationships in the future. This failure can cause significant impairment in relationship forming and can lead to a disorder called Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Bi-racial Child

The bi-racial child is a term that refers to a child of mixed race. A child whose biological parents are of different races, for example, Caucasian and African American, or African American and Native American.

Birth Father

The child’s biological father.

Birth Mother

The child’s biological mother.

Birth Plan

A Birth Mother, or parents, will make a Birth Plan with the assistance of the Agency’s Adoption Specialist. The birth plan includes the mother’s choice of who will be in the birthing suite, whether she wants to see the baby after birth, whether she is willing for the Adoptive Parents to be present at the Birth, and who she would like to witness her signing the consent to Adoption. The birth plan formalizes the plan in writing and assure her wishes can be known and adhered to.

Bonding

See attachment

Central Abuse Registry Hotline Record Search

As part of the home study process, prospective Adoptive Parents must complete a Central Abuse Registry Hotline Record Search which will determine whether they have ever had a child abuse conviction.

Closed Adoption

A Closed Adoption occurs when all identifying information for all involved parties, Birth and Adoptive Parents, becomes sealed to prevent disclosure of identities. Closed adoption shares only non-identifying information. For example, medical history redacted medical records and ethnic or religious background.

Confidential Adoption

A Confidential Adoption is another term for Closed Adoption.

Confidential Intermediary

A confidential Intermediary is a person who acts as an agent of either the Birth Parent, Adoptee, or Adoptive Parent and acts as a go-between for parties who are trying to contact each other, usually for the purpose of reunification. The Intermediary must determine whether the party being sought is willing to reestablish contact with the searching party. If the party being sought is willing to make contact the intermediary will facilitate the exchange of information as instructed by the parties.

Confidentiality

The act of keeping personal information a secret, unless a “release of information” has been signed authorizing information to be released. This is usually legally mandated when health information is involved. Those required to respect and adhere to the legal definition of confidentiality are Doctors, Social Workers, Lawyers, Adoption Agency Workers, Court personnel, and the like.

Consent to Adoption

Refers to the legal document the Birth Parents sign giving their “Consent” to the adoption. A Birth Mother typically signs her consent paperwork at the hospital no sooner than 48 hours after the child’s birth, unless the birth mother is discharged from the hospital earlier.

Cooperative Adoption – See also Open and Semi-Open Adoptions

A Cooperative adoption refers to adoptions that allow contact between the members of the Adoption Triad, after finalization has occurred. The type and frequency of contact agreed to varies based on each unique situation. However, agreements are usually documented before a child places with the adoptive parents. This way both the Adoptive Parent and Birth Parents are clear about their obligations and limitations up front. Contact can range from yearly letters and photographs taken on birthdays and important holidays, to regular personal visits.

Decree to Adoption – See also Adoption Decree

Refers to the legal document signed by the judge finalizing the adoption. It legally and formally gives the Adoptive Child and the Adoptive Parents the same legal relationship enjoyed by biological parents and child. The decree also allows the Adoptive Parents to choose a new name and have a new birth certificate issued to their child. The Adoptive Parents now assume the legal responsibility for caring for the adoptive child, just as they would a biological child.

Department of Vital Records

Each state has a Department of Vital Records which is responsible for issuing and maintaining records of births, deaths, and marriages. It is this governmental department that issues the Adoptive Child with a new Birth Certificate when the Adoption upon finalization. In some states, this governmental office also keeps the putative father registry.

Dependent Child

In the case of adoptions or foster care, this term refers to a child who is in the legal custody of the foster care system or the court. A child usually finds themselves in this situation when there has been abuse or neglect in the home, or the child has been abandoned or removed from the home.

Diligent Search

When a Birth Mother decides upon an adoption plan, it is necessary to locate any potential biological father, and notify them of the Birth, just in case the father wants to parent. If the biological father’s identity is unknown, a Diligent Search process must begin. The search must begin soon after a Birth Mother states her intent to place the child for adoption, and no later than 30 days after she has received money for reasonable living expenses. Diligent Search is the term that describes the search for the biological father.

Disruption

A disruption occurs when an adoption fails to complete. An example is when a Birth Mother changes her mind after giving birth and decides to parent.

Dissolution

The term Dissolution describes the reversal of a previously legal and finalized adoption. Dissolution rarely occurs with infant adoptions but sometimes occurs with the adoption of older children.

DNA and DNA Testing

DNA refers to deoxyribonucleic acid and describes a person’s genetic blueprint. A person’s DNA is unique, and no two people have the same DNA makeup. DNA testing is therefore an accepted way of proving paternity. In addition, DNA testing results may exclude a person as a possible biological father.

Employee Adoption Benefit

Many employers provide their employees with an Employee Adoption Benefit Package. This may take the form of a financial award towards adoption expenses, an interest-free loan, or maternity and/or paternity leave for adoptive parents over and above that provided for in the Family Medical Leave Act. These types of benefits are usually provided by larger corporations, but it is always worth asking if an employer provides this benefit.

Extended Family

Generally refers to family members, usually related biologically and by marriage, such as Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and the like.

Facilitators

This term generally refers to individuals, who facilitate the matching of Adoptive Parents with Birth Parents, for the purpose of arranging an adoption. The type of people who do this might include, members of the clergy, doctors, nurses, or other family members. This type of facilitating is perfectly legal, in some states, as long as the person is not being compensated. However, the practice in some states is prohibited. Individuals using the services of a facilitator should consult with a family law attorney before proceeding, preferably the same family law attorney who will be conducting the finalization proceedings.

Family Preservation

A term used primarily by social service agencies to refer to efforts and programs intended to keep families together. Each state has programs to support and strengthen families and provide programs to assess the safety of the child and intervention in cases where children are deemed to be at risk.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A disorder that affects children whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is a teratogen (a substance that may cause abnormalities in a developing fetus). Alcohol passes easily from the mother through the placenta to the baby and is absorbed by the developing fetus. It is uncertain what constitutes a safe level of alcohol for the fetus before harm is done. What is certain, alcohol can cause significant physical and developmental harm to the child. Children born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome suffer from lifelong cognitive impairments, and developmental disabilities and have distinct physical features.

Finalization

Refers to the time when all the legal proceedings have been completed and the child legally becomes part of the adoptive parent’s family.

Finalization Hearing

A finalization hearing refers to the actual court hearing in which the finalization of adoption takes place. The Judge will look at all the paperwork, and evidence, presented by the Adoptive Parent’s attorney and will determine (or not) whether the adoption should become final. If the Judge deems the adoption to be appropriate he or she issues a Decree of Adoption and signs a Certificate of Adoption. This Certificate goes to the Department of Vital Records which issues a new Birth Certificate for the child. The child is now a legal member of the adoptive family.

Foster Care – See also Interim Care

Foster Care refers to a temporary home/family that takes care of the child while they wait for placement with their adoptive family or reunification with their biological parents. In the case of Infant adoptions, most babies place directly in the adoptive family home, while the process is ongoing. Interim Care is the term used when an Infant needs short term care before placing with their adoptive family, and is usually a very short period of time.

Grief

Grief is a profound feeling of loss. In the case of Adoption, all members of the Adoption Triad can experience feelings of grief and loss. The Adoptive Parents may grieve their lack of fertility, the loss of a child through miscarriage, or the loss of their “dream” child. Birth Parents grieve the loss of their child, even when they feel peace at their Adoption decision, and the child may feel grief at the loss of their biological family.

Home Study – See also Suitability Study

A Home Study (called a suitability study in some states) is both a report and a process. The Home Study report, documents a thorough examination of the prospective Adoptive Parents, their criminal, medical and social background, as well as their financial situation. This process involves gathering documentation, such as birth certificates, letters of reference, tax returns, and a site visit to the Adoptive Parent’s home. A Home Study report is a written document that reflecting a Social Worker’s findings and presented to the Court.

ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act)

The U.S. Indian Child Welfare Act was written to protect the heritage of Native American Tribes, by encouraging the adoption of Native American Children by Native American families. This Act recognizes the rights of a tribe over a child with Native American Heritage. The law recognizes the child’s right to know their Indian heritage and cultural roots.

Identified Adoption

Refers to when a Birth Mother has “identified” the couple/person she wants to parent and adopt her child.

Identifying Information

Refers to information that may identify a person, last name, address, telephone number, social security number, birth date, etc. This is the type of information that is kept confidential in a Closed or Semi-Open Adoption. In an open adoption, some of this information may be shared as long as a release of information has been signed.

Infertility

This term refers to the inability to conceive a biological child with or without medical intervention.

Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, is an agreement that allows for the facilitation of adoptions between all 50 States, and the District of Columbia. This Compact protects the interests of children who may move from one state to another through the course of their adoption. The states in which the child was born, and the state in which the child will live, must both approve the child’s move from one state to the other. This has to occur before the child moves to the receiving state.

Interim Care – See also Foster Care

Interim Care refers to a temporary home/family that takes care of a child while they wait for placement with their adoptive family or reunification with their biological parents. In the case of Infant adoptions, most babies are placed directly in the adoptive family home, while the process is ongoing. Interim Care is sometimes referred to as Foster Care.

Open Adoption

Parties who agree to an Open Adoption allow the sharing of identifying information with the other party.  An Open Adoption is more likely to include contact and visitation after finalization. It is not co-parenting, but it does allow the child connection with Birth Parents, biological family, and other siblings. Contact may include, visits, emails, phone calls, and letters.

Petition for Adoption

In order to have an adoption finalized a petition for adoption is filed with the court. The petition is generally filed in the county in which the biological parents’ parental rights were terminated. A petition for adoption is usually filed within 60 days of the date parental rights were terminated. Unless the adoption is a relative or step-parent adoption finalization occurs no sooner than 90 days after the child was placed with the adoptive parents. The petition for adoption is usually prepared and filed with the court by an adoption competent family law attorney.

Placement

Refers to the child being placed in the home of the adoptive parents. At this point, the Adoption Agency retains legal custody of the child. Legal custody does not pass to the adoptive parents until “Finalization.”

Placement Date

The Placement date is the date when the child is placed in the Adoptive Parent’s home. Ideally, the placement date occurs when the baby is discharged from the hospital after birth.

Post Adoption Services

Services provide for the members of the Adoption Triad. Which may include post-adoption counseling for Birth Parents and support services for Adoptive Parents.

Post Placement Supervision

The law requires Post Placement Supervision. Post Placement supervision begins as soon as a baby places with the adoptive parents, and continues up to finalization. The Post Placement supervision entails multiple visits by a Social Worker to the adoptive parent’s home, where the Social Worker will check on the baby’s well-being, how well the family is bonding, and the adoptive family’s adjustment to their new family member.

Post Placement Supervision Report

A Post Placement Supervision Report, refers to a written report, prepared by the Adoption Specialist, for submission to the court at the finalization hearing. This report contains information on how the family is bonding with the baby, the care the baby is receiving, the family’s adjustment, and the baby’s overall progress. In addition, the report includes the Adoption Specialist’s observations on the family’s interactions with the baby and will also include recommendations concerning finalization of adoption. The Court will take the Adoption Specialists recommendation into account when making a final decision on whether or not to finalize the adoption.

Prenatal Exposure to Substances

Prenatal Exposure to Substances refers to the Fetus being exposed to illicit drugs, prescription drugs (either prescribed or not), and alcohol while in utero. Exposure to substances can be harmful to the fetus and can cause neurological and developmental damage. Level of harm depends on the type of substance, the length of time it was used, and at what stage of development the fetus was when it was exposed to the substance. The range of damage suffered by the fetus can range from no discernible effect to severe damage and retardation.

Presumed Father

When a married woman becomes pregnant, the presumed father is her husband. If a man not married to a birth mother allows the placement of his name on the child’s birth certificate he becomes the “presumed” father. He may or may not be the biological father of the child. A “presumed father” keeps this designation unless rebutted in a legal proceeding or from another individual claiming a biological link to the child. A change to the presumed status requires a legal proceeding.

Private Adoption Agency – See also Adoption Agency

Private Adoption Agencies are entities that facilitate adoptions and hold licenses in the state in which the agency is located. Adoption agencies are able to facilitate adoptions in all states which honor the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA). Adoption agencies may hold licenses for domestic and international adoptions.

Public Adoption Agency

Public Adoption Agencies refer to agencies that are run by the State or other Governmental institutions.

Putative Father Registry

The term Putative Father refers to a person who can claim to be a child’s biological father. In the case of an adoption, the putative father must be notified. Oftentimes, it is not possible to find the putative father, or it is unclear who the biological father is. The Putative Father Registry allows men to claim their biological children if they suspect they may be a father to a child. There is a limited time frame for a biological father to come forward and claim paternity.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder affects children who did not receive nurturing and care from their primary caregivers (usually parents), during their early formative years (before age 5). This disorder manifests as an inability to bond and form attachments. Children with RAD often fail to thrive, may not make eye contact and either are indiscriminately friendly towards total strangers or may fail to respond to anyone socially. Children with RAD exhibit behavioral problems and have difficulty forming bonds with their adoptive parents. Reactive Attachment Disorder is seen in children entering the care system from neglectful homes. This is not a problem typically associated with infant adoptions.

Re-Adoption

Children who are adopted overseas by American parents, and have a foreign birth certificate issued in their country of origin, maybe “re-adopted” once residing in the United States in order to get a U.S.-issued birth certificate.

Relative Adoptions

This term is used when a child is adopted by a blood or biological relative.

Release

A “release,” refers to a document that a person signs giving permission for personal information to be released, for example, a Birth Mother might sign a release for the baby’s medical information to be released to the Adoption Agency.

Relinquishment

Relinquishment, refers to a Birth Parent relinquishing (giving up) their parental rights to the child. In the case of adoption, the Birth Parents relinquish their parental rights to the Adoption Agency. The Agency takes physical and legal custody of the child until finalization, at which time the Adoptive Parents will take legal custody.

Reunion Registry

A Reunion Registry is a database containing information on Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Adoptees. The purpose of the registry is to hold information so that members of the Adoption Triad can search and find each other. There are a number of different registries, some maintained by the State and some by Private Adoption entities. Many registries are now available online instead of traditional paper files.

Reversal – See also Revocation

Revocation refers to when a Birth parent reverses their “Consent to Adoption.” The law varies by state, but only a court can overturn a consent to adoption. The birth parent must show extenuating circumstances such as coercion to sign the initial consent. There are also strict time limits to revocation which again vary by state.

Revocation – See also Reversal

Revocation refers to when a Birth parent reverses their “Consent to Adoption.” The law varies by state, but only a court can overturn a consent to adoption. The birth parent must show extenuating circumstances such as coercion to sign the initial consent. There are also strict time limits to revocation which again vary by state.

Screening

Screening refers to the act of obtaining and reviewing personal background information, such as criminal background checks, child abuse registries, etc.

Sealed Adoption Records

Once an adoption is finalized the original birth certificate is sealed to protect all the parties to the adoption. The law of each state governs if and when a sealed record can be unsealed.

Semi-Open Adoption

A semi-open adoption generally does not entail sharing of identifying information between the parties in an adoption. In these cases, it is usual for an adoption agency to act as an intermediary to facilitate ongoing contact between the Birth Parents and the Adoptee. A Semi-Open adoption allows carefully controlled contact and may result in the adoptee feeling more connected to their family of birth.

Severance of Parental Rights – see also Termination of Parental Rights

This is the name of the Court Proceeding whereby the Birth Parent’s rights are terminated. In some states, the term for this proceeding is Severance of Parental Rights. Once the parental rights have been terminated or severed, the child is eligible for adoption.

Special Needs

Special Needs refers to children who may be more challenging to place in adoption. The types of circumstances that constitute a “special need” includes such things as, physical or mental disabilities, bi-racial, African American boys, developmentally delayed, and sibling groups.

Special Needs Child

Special needs child as it pertains to adoptions refers to a child who has “special needs” or belongs to a “special needs” group. A special needs child may have an intellectual or physical disability, be bi-racial or an African American male, or be a member of a sibling group. These classifications come from the legal definition of special needs child.

Statues

State and Federal Laws.

Suitability Study – see also Home Study

The Suitability Study (Called a Home Study in Florida and other states) is both a report and a process. A Home Study report, documents a thorough examination of the prospective Adoptive Parents, their criminal, medical and social background, as well as their financial situation. This process involves gathering documentation, such as birth certificates, letters of reference, tax returns, and a site visit to the Adoptive Parent’s home. The Home Study is a written document reflecting a Social Worker’s findings. This document become part of the legal package for prospective Adoptive Parents.

Surrender

Surrender is a term that refers to the voluntary act of terminating parental rights. The Birth Parents surrender their parental rights over the child. Once the Birth Parents sign the surrender papers, the child is eligible for adoption by another family. Birth Parents must sign surrender documents witnessed by a Notary Public.

Surrender Papers

The legal documents are signed by the Birth Parents surrendering their parental rights.

Traditional Adoption

This term may be used to refer to a Closed Adoption. The term traditional is used because Closed Adoptions used to be the norm. Today, Open and Semi-Open adoptions are becoming more the norm as it has been recognized that contact with the Birth family can be beneficial to the child. Traditional Adoption Program

Trans-Racial Adoptions

Trans-racial adoptions refer to an adoptive family adopting a child from a race different from their own.

Triad – see also Adoption Triad

The term Triad refers to the relationship between the three parties in the adoption, the Baby, Birth Mother, and Adoptive Parents.

T.P.R (Termination of Parental Rights)

This is the name of the Court Proceeding whereby the Birth Parent’s rights are terminated. In some states, the term for this proceeding is Severance of Parental Rights. Once the parental rights have been terminated or severed, the child is able to be adopted.

Waiting Children

Refers to children in the Public Foster Care system who are waiting for adoption. It is uncommon for an infant to have to wait for an adoptive family.

Waiting Families

Usually refers to adoptive parents who have approved home studies and are waiting to be matched with a Birth Mother. Waiting Families List