In the past, people thought it was best that adoption be kept secret. Although it is still a private matter today, the majority of birth parents who make an adoption decision for their infant, request some openness in the adoption. Openness refers to the relationship between the adoptive family and the birth family. The relationship may involve the exchange of letters and pictures or visits without the exchange of identifying information or it may involve a relationship where identifying information is exchanged. Birth parents and adoptive parents decide together on the communication and/or contact they will have. Each adoption is negotiated to meet the needs of birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child.

The range of openness options may include:

• Birth and adoptive parents deciding to meet but not giving identifying information about themselves
• Birth and adoptive parents meeting and exchanging identifying information
• Birth parents requesting adoptive parents be present at the birth of the baby
• Birth parents and adoptive parents exchanging letters, and sometimes pictures, either through Social Services or directly.