Adopting a Family Member vs. Private Infant Adoption in Florida

Written By: Erin Jones

With so many different kinds of adoption options in the United States today, it can be difficult for birth mothers and adoptive families alike to keep all of that adoption information straight. But don’t worry — Adoption Choices of Florida is here to help and we are the best adoption agencies in Florida! To help you learn a little more about adoption and the adoption process, we’ve differentiated between two common, but unique-in-its-own way types of adoption: family member or relative adoption and private adoption. 

Again, each type of adoption is unique, with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, by learning more about these two types of adoption, you can determine what’s best for you and your child, no matter what your situation is!

The Difference between Family Member Adoption and Private Adoption

1. What is Family Member or Relative Adoption

Family member adoption, which is also sometimes referred to as relative adoption, is just how it sounds: when a family member or family members of a child — not the birth mother or birth father — adopt that child. Family member adoption is truly wonderful, however, it often occurs due to unfortunate circumstances — the deaths of the child’s birth parents, the abandonment of the child by their birth parents, the inability of the birth parents to care for and raise their child, etc. There are many reasons for family member adoptions. 

But, regardless of the reason for the adoption of a child by a family member or relative, it’s important to make note of the fact that family member adoption is often a shorter process than that of other types of adoption. This is because it usually takes less amount of time to determine whether or not the person or people adopting the child are, in fact, a good fit and capable of raising a child. In family member adoption, the individual or family adopting the child is, obviously, the child’s birth family and knows the child, so they’re generally deemed to be loving, responsible and trustworthy. 

To adopt a child of a family member, your first and most important steps are to file a petition to adopt with your local or a neighboring court and obtain consent from the child’s birth parents. Exception can be made if you’re unable to obtain consent for whatever reason, but you must be able to show to a court judge that you made an effort to obtain consent. To learn more about how to adopt the child of a relative, please reach out to an adoption agency or your local court for more information on the process. Adoption Choices of Florida, unfortunately, does not offer relative adoption services.

One final note on family member adoptions: keep in mind that relative adoption is most common amongst stepparents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even older siblings. The more distant the relative, the more likely they are to have to adopt the child through a lengthier type of adoption process.    

2. What is Private Adoption

A private adoption, which is one of the most common ways to place a child for adoption/to adopt a child, occurs when a birth mother voluntarily chooses to give up her baby for adoption, creates an adoption plan, and reviews and selects an adoptive family. If you opt for a private adoption as a birth mother, your first step is to select a private adoption agency — typically within your geographical area — that you believe to be the best fit for both you and your child. 

Private adoption agencies can be found all over the United States, but if you live in the state of Florida, you have over 10 different agencies to choose from! Once you’ve selected an adoption agency — like Adoption Choices of Florida! — it’s important for you to reach out to that adoption agency right away to get connected with an adoption professional and/or social worker. By either or both of these people, you’ll be explained how their agency’s adoption process works and what you have to do next. Most adoption agencies follow a similar, step-by-step pattern: choose an adoption agency, select which type of adoption you want — open, semi-open, or closed — create an adoption plan, review potential adoptive families and select one for your child, and, last but not least, finalize the adoption.

There are, of course, many things to do between each of these steps. However, this is just an outline of what the adoption process might look like for you. It’s important to note that every birth mother and child’s adoption journey is unique, so no two are going to be exactly the same. Also, expect bumps in the road! The adoption journey isn’t necessarily all smooth sailing, but your team of adoption professionals, as well as your own support system of family and friends, is going to be right there by your side to help you get through.  

Still Have Questions? Reach Out to Our Local Florida Adoption Agency Today!

Adoption Choices of Florida is all about helping you and your child by providing you with the information needed to make the adoption decision that is right for both of you – especially if facing an unplanned pregnancy. Hopefully, after reading this blog, you’ve gotten a better understanding of the differences between family member or relative adoption and private adoption. Perhaps you even feel like you’ve made a decision about your unplanned pregnancy or the next step in your adoption journey! Whatever the case is, don’t hesitate to reach out to our agency for more information or with any questions or concerns you may have. Again, at Adoption Choices of Florida, we’re here to help YOU! 

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678