To help hitched readers with their research, what are the differences between public adoption and private adoption?
Francesca: Public adoption is a result of situations where children have been removed by county officials from their homes and placed in foster care. Children in the foster care system range in age from newborn up and often have special needs. To adopt one of these children, you first have to qualify as a foster care parent. The costs to you are very low. Private adoption is when an attorney or adoption agency contracts with you to help you find a child to adopt. They advertise in print and online, and work with various agencies and institutions (such as hospitals or schools) to connect you with women who are pregnant and have chosen adoption, or are at least considering it. Hitched: What are the differences between open and closed adoptions? Dormon: Open adoption is when the birth parents have the opportunity to meet with and choose the adoptive parents. They would most likely continue contact after the adoption by way of letters, pictures, e-mails and occasional phone calls. Visits a
