Adoption is an act creating the legal relation of parent and child. It was known in antiquity but was not part of the English COMMON LAW. In the U.S. it is governed by statute.  Adoption's historical roots include the need to continue a family line where there is no natural heir. Today the usual focus is the child's welfare.

A hearing before a judge is generally required, as is consent of the natural parent or guardian and that of the child if he or she is above a certain age. The natural parents generally lose their rights and duties toward the child; the adoptive parents assume them.

Many states now permit adoption by unmarried adults; some allow adoption by homosexual couples. Adoption by relatives is most common; in adoption by unrelated adults, the courts have traditionally attempted to ease adjustment to the adoptive family by maintaining secrecy regarding the child's origin.

Since the 1970s, however, a growing number of adopted children have attempted to identify their natural parents, and open adoption, in which adoptive and birth parents maintain a relationship, has become more popular.

Additional Resources

• Adopt-Central - Features a waiting parents registry, adoption professionals registry, available children listing, message boards and online chats.
• Adopting.org - Information for everyone involved in adoption: Birthparents, those who wish to adopt, and adoptees.
• Adoption - Adoption information, resources and services. Over 1500 links. Adoption Hotline offers available adoption situations.
• Adoption -- Where Do I Start? - Some basic information about adopting, including who can adopt and how to select an adoption agency.
• Adoption: A New Beginning - A Christian adoption resource center, with services for birthmothers and adoptive parents.
• Adoption Choice - Interactive Internet registry for hopeful adoptive parents and potential birth parents. Includes photo listings of waiting families, bookstore, and discussion of current adoption related topics.
• Adoption Information Line - Comprehensive information about the adoption of children within the UK.
• Adoption Search - A search engine and directory of adoption sites from adoption.com.
• Adoption Solutions - Adoption help and information service, on-line hopeful parent registry, birthmom resources, adoption attorneys, and adoption agencies.
• Adoption Wishes - Helping birthparents and families who wish to adopt find each other.
• Adoption.com - Information on international, special needs, independent, and private adoptions.
• 4Adoptions - Resources and information to help with the process of adopting babies and children around the world.
• Adoptions.com - Features a comprehensive directory of adoption professionals, and the Adoption SuperCalendar of adoption events, meetings and conferences in every state.
• Adoptive Families of America - Bringing together people interested in adoption and the resources to support the adoption of children without permanent homes.
• AdoptNet - Support for adoptive families from the National Adoption Center: Post-adoption information, online chats and conferences.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha - Childrens Services include adoption, reunion and unplanned pregnancy counseling.
• Child of My Dreams - Adoption 101: Detailed information about private and agency adoptions, home studies, news and support for people facing the challenges of adoption.
• Child Of My Dreams.com - Offers infertility and adoption information and support.
• Children's Home Society - Not for profit organization that provides adoption and birth parent services.
• Court Form.Com - Afordable electronic California civil court form packages and suggested readings for wanting to adopt.
• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption - Helping children throughout the United States find permanent homes and loving families. Includes a beginner's guide to adoption.
• Deaf Adoption News Service - Listings of deaf children waiting to be adopted, and a mailing list.
• DearBirthmother.com - Letters to birthmothers from adoptive parents.
• Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute - Information for adoption professionals: research, policy, and practice.
• Faces of Adoption - Photo listings of 2000 children who are waiting to be adopted, plus adoption books, articles, and information.
• Indiana's Adoption Initiative - Statewide effort to find permanence for all children with special needs.
• List of Adoption Mailing Lists - Validated listing of adoption support listservs and email lists..
• Lund Family Center - Providing services for young women who are pregnant and parenting, families with young children and adoptive families.
• Megilligan's Island - Information on Special Needs Adoption (SNAP) and Foster Care in Central Kentucky
• Older Child Adoption - Resources for people who are adopting or have adopted an older child.
• PACT: An Adoption Alliance - Adoption-related services for children of color, their birthparents, and their adoptive parents.
• ParentsPlace.com - Stories from adoptive parents, birthparent, and adoptees.
• Single Parent Adoption Forum - Exchange ideas with single parents who have adopted and who wish to adopt.
• Three Adoption Stories - Stories of the adoption travels of our three adopted children to Romania and Colombia.

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