Types of Adoption: Which Path is Right for You?

Welcome to the beginning of your adoption journey. It is important to realize that “adoption” is not just one single process. Instead, it is an umbrella term that covers many different legal and emotional paths to building a family. Whether you are at the very start of your research or have a specific vision for your future, this guide will help you identify which path fits your family goals and lifestyle.

Domestic Infant Adoption

Domestic infant adoption is the private adoption of a baby born in the U.S. This process is usually facilitated by a licensed agency—like the Gladney Center for Adoption—or a qualified adoption attorney. In this track, expectant parents choose to make an adoption plan and select the family they believe is the best fit for their child.

This path is often the choice for families who specifically want to experience the newborn stage. It almost always involves some degree of open adoption, where birth and adoptive families agree on a level of ongoing contact. This could include exchanging photos, letters, or even annual visits. Domestic infant adoption focuses on honoring the choice of the birth parents while providing a stable, loving home for a newborn.

Foster Care Adoption

Foster care adoption, known at Gladney as the New Beginnings Program, involves adopting children who are currently in the public child welfare system. These children have been placed in foster care due to various circumstances, and the court has determined that they cannot safely return to their biological parents.

This path is ideal for families who are open to adopting older children, sibling groups, or children with special needs. Because the state is seeking permanent homes for these “waiting children,” the financial barriers are minimal. Foster care adoption is generally low cost, and many families receive ongoing subsidies to help with the child’s medical or educational needs. It is a profound way to provide stability and a “forever family” to a child who has experienced trauma and uncertainty.

International Adoption

International adoption, or intercountry adoption, involves welcoming a child from another country into your home. This process is governed by U.S. law, the laws of the child’s country of origin, and the Hague Adoption Convention, which ensures ethical practices. Gladney is a Hague-accredited agency that supports families through various international programs.

Families who choose this path often want to adopt a toddler or an older child and have a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. You should be prepared for international travel and a “paper chase” of documents required by foreign governments. International adoption is a beautiful way to bridge cultures and provide a child with a future filled with opportunity and love.

Stepparent and Relative Adoption

Stepparent and relative adoption—sometimes called kinship adoption—occurs when an adult who already has a biological or familial bond with a child formalizes that relationship legally. This is common in blended families where a stepparent has been raising their spouse’s child, or when a grandparent or aunt steps in to care for a relative.

While this process is often more streamlined than agency adoption, it still requires a legal process. The parental rights of the non-custodial biological parent must be terminated, either through consent or a court order, before the adoption can be finalized. Once complete, the adoptive parent has the same legal rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.

Niche Adoptions: Embryo and Adult

There are other, less common ways to grow a family or formalize a bond through the legal system.

Embryo Adoption

Embryo adoption—also referred to as embryo donation—occurs when a family that has completed IVF chooses to donate their remaining frozen embryos to another family. The recipient mother carries the pregnancy and gives birth to her adopted child. This allows the parents to experience pregnancy and control the prenatal environment, though there is no genetic link to the adoptive parents.

Adult Adoption

Adult adoption involves the legal adoption of a person who is 18 years of age or older. While it may seem unusual, it is often used to formalize a lifelong parent-child bond that may have existed for years without a legal decree. It can also be used to simplify inheritance rights or ensure that a long-term caregiver has the legal standing to make medical decisions for an adult with disabilities.

Choosing the right type of adoption is a personal decision based on your heart, your resources, and your vision for your family. No matter which path you choose, the goal remains the same: creating a bright future for a child. We encourage you to explore our detailed guides for each program to see which journey feels like the right fit for you.