Some religious agencies require birthmothers and adoptive parents to be of their religion while many do not. Much of their program can be of a religious approach to birthmothers and adoptive parents. Many religious members offer their time on a volunteer basis for the sake of helping others. May religious organizations offer great dedication and religious love in their adoptions. Independent adoptions are usually based on the open adoption concept.
Initial contact is made directly between the adoptive couple and birthmother or birthparents.
The adoptive parents and birthparents meet to become aquatinted with each other and share their ideas of adoption. For birthparents who do not wish to meet, communication can take place by telephone or letter. An important advantage to an open independent adoption is that the birth mother usually feels more comfortable and in control when giving her baby directly to adoptive parents, who she has chosen, and not to the control of another entity. Independent adoptions have gained in acceptance because of the traditional roadblocks that people who want to adopt have encountered. When adoption requirements become barriers and the selection process becomes stalemate, people wanting a child to adopt decide to pursue a different path.