What Is Open Adoption Like in Florida?
Real Experiences, Rights, and What to Expect
When you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, your options can feel increasingly narrow. For a long time, adoption was discussed as a "goodbye," but choosing open adoption in Florida today functions much more like a "hello." This path keeps a door open, allowing you to maintain a lifelong connection with your child and the family raising them.
We’ve put this guide together to show you how these relationships work in practice, how Florida’s legal framework supports your choices, and how we help you find a path that feels right.
What Is Open Adoption Like in Florida?
Open adoption acts as a lifelong partnership built on mutual respect. Think of it as an extended family where everyone shares the goal of ensuring a child feels loved from every side. While the arrangement includes legal protections, it functions primarily as an evolving personal relationship that grows as your child does.
For most birth mothers, openness removes uncertainty. Instead of wondering how your baby is doing, you see them grow up. You maintain a legal and personal connection to the child’s history and identity. Most women find that seeing these milestones—like walking, starting school, or playing sports—helps them process the adoption more effectively than a closed arrangement would.
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What Kind of Contact Do Birth Mothers Have After Adoption?
In an open adoption, you stay in the driver’s seat. You decide what "staying in touch" looks like for your specific situation. There is no single "right" way—only the way that makes you feel comfortable and secure. Common ways birth mothers in Florida stay connected include:
- Receive photos and letters through a secure online portal or through the mail.
- Exchange quick texts or emails to share funny stories or "first steps" videos.
- Schedule calls or FaceTime sessions to hear each other's voices.
- Meet at a park, a favorite Florida beach, or visit each other’s homes.
Finding that "just right" level of contact is a collaborative process; setting these expectations early keeps everyone aligned from the start.
Real Open Adoption Stories from Birth Mothers Like You
The best way to understand what open adoption is like is to hear from those who have walked this path. These reflections show how these relationships grow over time:
- “They told me, when I had Charlotte, that I’m family. … Even though Charlotte is now their daughter and they’re Mom and Dad, she is still my daughter, as well.” – Lindsey, Birth Parent
- “I love still being able to have that connection with Juniper. I get all jittery thinking about it because it’s going to blow my mind when she’s five and she starts talking, and I can actually talk to her and have a conversation with her.” – Randi, Birth Parent
- “Knowing that I can be around and be there — I don’t even know how to put it into words… I’m like a cheerleader on the sideline, and that’s more than I could have asked for,” – Caitlin, Birth Parent
- “I couldn’t wait to see [the adoptive parents] hold her for the first time. It just overall confirmed that my daughter was in the arms of the parents that God had led me to, like I had asked.” - Angelica, Birth Parent
You can read more birth mother testimonials here.
How Open Adoption Works Under Florida Law
The state of Florida is generally supportive when it comes to keeping families connected. It helps to know there is a legal framework in place that respects your choices and protects your relationship.
Florida law recognizes the Post-Adoption Contact Agreement (PACA) as a formal tool to protect your right to stay in touch. As official Florida resources explain, this document allows you to put your contact preferences in writing, providing a clear roadmap for the future.
Beyond the paperwork, our job is to be your advocate. We believe a successful open adoption is built on trust, which is why we spend so much time educating families and ensuring they truly value your role. Knowing your rights provides the security you need to move forward with confidence.
Can an Open Adoption Change Over Time?
Relationships aren't static—they grow as children do. Your open adoption relationship will likely look different when the child is five than it did when they were an infant, and that’s perfectly healthy. Life changes, and so can your plan.
You might want frequent updates early on while you process the transition, then prefer more space as you focus on your own goals—like school or a career. Later, you may find you want to see them more often as they grow older. Keeping the lines of communication allows the relationship to stay natural for everyone involved.
What If the Adoptive Family Stops Contact?
It’s one of the most common questions we hear: "What if they change their minds once the adoption is final?" This is a valid concern. We take these fears seriously, which is why:
- We only partnering with families who genuinely believe open adoption is essential for their child’s sense of identity. By screening for this mindset from the beginning, we help ensure that the family you choose is committed to a lifelong connection because they understand how much it benefits the child.
- We prioritize supportive education for every adoptive family, helping them see you as a partner in their child’s well-being rather than a threat. This education helps families move past any initial nerves and embrace the fact that having more people to love a child is always a positive thing.
- We keep communication open for the long haul. If the frequency of contact ever slows down or feels strained, our specialists are available to facilitate a gentle conversation and help everyone get back on the same page.
Seeing how other families have made this work can help the possibilities feel more tangible. Every family we work with is committed to staying in touch. You can take a look at our waiting families to see how they talk about their commitment to openness.
How American Adoptions of Florida Supports Open Adoption Relationships
We advocate for openness because we believe it creates the healthiest environment for a child to grow up knowing their story. For this reason, we do not work with adoptive parents who want a closed adoption. Every single family we work with has thought through the implications of this relationship and is fully ready to facilitate an open or semi-open adoption.
Every family we work with commits to:
- Maintaining an open, direct relationship with you for life.
- Agreeing to an in-person visit within the first five years (if you want that).
- Sending photos and letters for at least 18 years.
If you personally prefer a closed adoption, we respect your privacy. In these cases, we maintain your confidentiality to the full extent of Florida law. We ensure your personal information remains private and is not shared with outside parties without your consent. All necessary legal requirements are observed to keep the adoption process secure.
Deciding what is next for you and your child is a significant moment, but you don't have to carry the weight of those questions alone. We act as your guide and advocate, assisting with the big legal questions and the small, personal moments alike.
Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or you feel ready to start looking for a family, we are here to provide the support and clarity you deserve.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
There is never any pressure to make a decision, and your privacy is always our priority. If you want to talk through your thoughts, ask about Florida’s adoption laws, or simply need someone to listen, a specialist is available to help. We are here to be your guide and your advocate, helping you address the big questions and the small moments alike.
If you just want to talk through your thoughts or have a few questions, we’re here to listen. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 1-800-ADOPTION to chat with a Florida specialist today.
Disclaimer
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