Closed Adoption in California

If you’re a prospective birth mother concerned about your privacy and safety, then a closed adoption may be the right path for your situation. We can provide the services and support you need to complete your adoption and move forward with your life.

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When you’re a prospective birth mother choosing adoption, you have several options available to you. One of the choices you’ll get to make is deciding between open and closed adoption.

This guide will lay out all that you should know about closed adoption in California. Feel free to contact us online and get more adoption information now. You can also continue reading to learn more about closed adoption information.

What Is a Closed Adoption in California?

A closed adoption is when there is no communication between the prospective birth mother and the hopeful adoptive family. This means that you won’t share contact or identifying information with the adoptive parents or your child. This anonymity is why some people may refer to it as a confidential adoption, too.

Although this closed adoption definition has led to some social stigma surrounding adoption as a whole, this shouldn’t deter you from choosing what is best for your circumstances. Open adoption is still an option for you, but this is your choice and no one else’s.

For instance, you may be leaning toward a closed adoption to protect your privacy and have a clean start after placement. You might be in an unsafe situation with the baby’s father and plan on keeping the adoption secret from them. Whatever your reasons may be, they are valid. Don’t let anyone else sway your decision-making process.

Pros and Cons of Closed Adoption in California

Just as with anything in life, there are both pros and cons of closed adoption in California. As you’re trying to decide which type of adoption is right for you, it can be beneficial to know what those pros and cons are. That’s why we’ve listed some examples of each below.

Pros of Closed Adoption in California

  • Safety from a toxic environment: If you’re afraid that telling others about your adoption decision may put you and your baby in danger, then closed adoption may be best for you. It’s important to keep yourself and your child out of harm’s way. You can also call 800-799-7233 if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse.
  • A sense of closure: You might feel that an open adoption would be too difficult from an emotional standpoint. There are many complex emotions of adoption, and watching your child grow up with another family could be hard. As you process any feelings of grief or loss, a closed adoption could provide the closure that you need.
  • Privacy and confidentiality: Another benefit of closed adoption is the confidentiality that comes from keeping adoption a secret. Although it’s recommended to speak with your loved ones about your decision, maybe you want to hide it from certain people in your life.

Cons of Closed Adoption in California

  • Potential identity issues: One of the main drawbacks of closed adoption is how it can affect the child. They may struggle with developing an identity if they don’t know much about who their birth family is.
  • Inaccessible medical history: During the adoption process itself, you’ll provide your family’s medical history so your child and the adoptive parents can reference it any time they need to. But, it won’t always be up-to-date. If important new information arises, then you won’t be able to update it with potentially life-saving knowledge.
  • Lingering questions: Just as your child will likely have long-lasting questions about who you are, you may also wonder about them. When you choose a closed adoption, agencies may warn you that you won’t be able to check in on your child to ensure that they’re truly happy.
  • Challenges of a future relationship: On a similar note, if you do want to build a relationship with your child at some point, closed adoption makes it harder. Your child, once they’re older, may try to find you online. But, this process is often difficult from a logistical and emotional perspective.
  • Struggles with grief and loss: Although these emotions are common in both open and closed adoption, you may find it more challenging to fully grieve this loss and move forward with your life. Taking the time to heal right now is crucial, but a closed adoption plan can impede and slow down that process.

Speak with an Adoption Professional

If you’re having a hard time deciding whether open or closed adoption in California is right for you, then we’re here to talk. When you fill out our online contact form, you can get more free information now. Our trustworthy team can lay out your options and help you determine what’s best for your situation.