If you’re considering adoption for your baby, you have a lot of decisions to make and you may have a lot of questions. One question we hear is whether it is possible to have a confidential adoption in Arkansas — that is, can you give your baby an adoptive family without giving your name?
The short answer: yes. A person who has a baby and is unable to parent that child can take the baby to a safe place like a hospital or a police station, hand the baby to someone, and leave without giving a name or any other information.
It is also possible to arrange a legal adoption without sharing your name with the adoptive family.
Here are some things to think about if this is your preference.
Closed adoption
A closed adoption is one option. In a closed adoption, the identity of the birth parents is not shared with the adoptive family. You also do not have to get information about the adoptive family, and you can specify that your information should not be made available in the future.
Sometimes birth parents want a clean break. There are many possible reasons for this choice, and you can make this choice if you want to do so.
In a closed adoption, you can still choose the family if you want to, and you can leave open the possibility of the child’s being able to contact you in the future if he or she makes a request for information. You can arrange to have the adoptive family send a letter with information about the child to your adoption professional. You cannot set up future contact or visits with the child.
Some adoptive families prefer this choice, too. It is less common now than it used to be, but it is still a possibility for those who prefer confidentiality.
The alternative is an open adoption, in which birth parents have ongoing contact with the child. About 95% of adoptions nowadays are open, but in Arkansas, the birth mother is free to make this decision.
Thinking of the future
There was a time when adopted children might not be told by their adoptive parents that they were adopted. Now, this is very unusual. Adopted children usually know that this is how they joined their family. At some point, the child may want to know more about his or her birth family.
Adoptive families also often want to honor the culture and heritage of their adopted children. The whole family may also benefit from information about the child’s family health history. Providing this kind of information without sharing your name can be very useful for the child’s future.
Confidentiality with Heimer Law
Your consultations with Heimer Law, including your free initial consultation, are always confidential. Contact us to discuss your needs.
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