Adoption

Birth Parent Counselling

Birth parent counselling gives birth parents the opportunity to talk about their feelings, discuss what they want for their child and get information about all their options, including placing their child for adoption.

Birth parents will get information about their rights and the help they can get after the adoption is completed. If they decide to proceed with an adoption, the agency will give them the detailed information about the adoptive parents.

Before a birth parent signs a consent to adoption, the agency must explain the effect of signing the consent, as well as the birth parent's right to independent legal advice. The agency must also provide information about the effects of an adoption, including the role of the court in granting an Order of Adoption and the legal status of an adopted child.

Birth parents can be part of an Openness Agreement that will formalize the agreement they have with the adoptive parents about contact over the years following adoption placement.

Birth parents can register with the Post-Adoption Registry for contact with their child at any time, but contact will not be facilitated until the child is at least 18 years old.

One major difference between a private adoption and an adoption of a permanent ward is cost. Adoptive parents who adopt through private adoption are responsible for all agency and legal fees, including the legal fees of the birth parents.

For more information...

If you would like more information on adoption, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the adoption department of a Child and Family Services agency or a licensed adoption agency. A worker will explain adoption to you in detail, and answer any specific questions you may have.