Our agency has been facilitating infant adoption and placing children into permanent homes since 1923. We are dedicated to serving both adoptive parents and birthparents. Our friendly and experienced social workers will to assist you in preparing to build your family through adoption. The Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Services program specializes in five types of adoption.
Contact one of our agency’s adoption social workers to learn more about the adoption process.
Email [email protected] or call 701-235-4457
Intercountry Rights & Responsibilities
International adoption is the process in which a North Dakota family legally adopts a child from another country. The Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Services program offers home study services and post-placement/post-adoption services for international adoptions.
Process
This is a general guide for the process of international adoption as it can vary depending on the country’s specifics related to pre and post placement requirements, travel, and finalization.
The North Dakota Domestic Infant Program assists North Dakota families wishing to adopt an infant or child under the age of two born in the state of North Dakota.
Process
Types of Adoption Openness
Openness refers to the amount of contact and type of relationship between the birth family and the adoptive family. There is a continuum of openness in adoptions. Your social worker will assist you in deciding the level of openness that is right for you. The Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Services program encourages openness as it is beneficial to the adoptive child and most birth parents request some openness in their adoption.
Semi-Closed Adoption – This is when the birth family and the adoptive family do not know each other and do not have on-going communication. Even in these situations, generally the birth parents choose the family and adoptive families know the last name of the baby at birth.
Semi-Open Adoption – This is when limited identifying information is shared between the birth family and the adoptive family and letters and updates regarding the child are shared indirectly; generally, through the infant adoption agency.
Open Adoption – This is when the birth parents and adoptive parents have direct contact with one another and share updates and pictures of the child directly. This can also include on-going face to face contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Identified Adoption refers to the adoption process where birth parents and prospective adoptive parents connect with each other outside of an infant adoption agency and wish to transfer custody of the child from the birth family to the adoptive family. Families can begin the process of identified adoption either prior to a baby’s birth or for a child of any age. Catholic Charities North Dakota is able to assist the prospective adoptive family with the home study process and is able to assist the birth parents with the required birth parent counseling services.
Process
Types of Adoption Openness
Openness refers to the amount of contact and type of relationship between the birth family and the adoptive family. There is a continuum of openness in adoptions. Your social worker will assist you in deciding the level of openness that is right for you. Catholic Charities North Dakota encourages openness as it is beneficial to the adoptive child and most birth parents request some openness in their adoption. Remember that all information is shared during the home study process in an identified adoption.
Semi-Closed Adoption – This is when the birth family and the adoptive family do not know each other and do not have ongoing communication. Even in these situations, generally the birth parents choose the family and adoptive families know the last name of the baby at birth.
Semi-Open Adoption – This is when limited identifying information is shared between the birth family and the adoptive family and letters and updates regarding the child are shared indirectly; generally, through the infant adoption agency.
Open Adoption – This is when the birth parents and adoptive parents have direct contact with one another and share updates and pictures of the child directly. This can also include on-going face to face contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Out of State adoption is the process in which a North Dakota family legally adopts a baby who is born in another state. Catholic Charities North Dakota offers home study services and post-placement services for out of state adoptions.
Process
This is a general guide for the process of out of state adoption. The process can vary depending on the primary placing agency or the state in which the baby is born.
Types of Adoption Openness
Openness refers to the amount of contact and type of relationship between the birth family and the adoptive family. There is a continuum of openness in adoptions. Your social worker will assist you in deciding the level of openness that is right for you. Catholic Charities North Dakota encourages openness as it is beneficial to the adoptive child and most birth parents request some openness in their adoption.
Semi-Closed Adoption – This is when the birth family and the adoptive family do not know each other and do not have ongoing communication. Even in these situations, generally the birth parents choose the family and adoptive families know the last name of the baby at birth.
Semi-Open Adoption – This is when limited identifying information is shared between the birth family and the adoptive family and letters and updates regarding the child are shared indirectly; generally, through the infant adoption agency.
Open Adoption – This is when the birth parents and adoptive parents have direct contact with one another and share updates and pictures of the child directly. This can also include on-going face to face contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Relative adoption is a form of identified adoption where the child and the prospective adoptive parent are related. Per North Dakota Law, family seeking to adopt their niece, nephew, brother, sister, or grandchild do not need to utilize a Licensed Child Placing Agency. All other family relationships would need to work with a licensed child placing agency to complete an identified adoption.
Process
Types of Adoption Openness
Openness refers to the amount of contact and type of relationship between the birth family and the adoptive family. There is a continuum of openness in adoptions. Your social worker will assist you in deciding the level of openness that is right for you. Catholic Charities North Dakota encourages openness as it is beneficial to the adoptive child and most birth parents request some openness in their adoption. Remember that all information is shared during the home study process in an identified adoption.
Semi-Closed Adoption – This is when the birth family and the adoptive family do not know each other and do not have ongoing communication. Even in these situations, generally the birth parents choose the family and adoptive families know the last name of the baby at birth.
Semi-Open Adoption – This is when limited identifying information is shared between the birth family and the adoptive family and letters and updates regarding the child are shared indirectly; generally, through the adoption agency.
Open Adoption – This is when the birth parents and adoptive parents have direct contact with one another and share updates and pictures of the child directly. This can also include on-going face to face contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Our agency knows that even infant adoption can come with its challenges and we want you to have all the support you need. Whether you’ve adopted from foster care, infant, domestic, or international adoption, or provide guardianship for a youth in your home, we invite you to join the ND Post Adopt Network to connect with others who are also experiencing life after adoption!