Such personal information may include names, occupations, family background, medical histories, photographs and in-person meetings. The majority of adoptions today are open to some extent. The increase in popularity of open adoption has come about because birthmothers want the ability to choose the family they feel will best raise the child, and because adoptive parents want to know something about their child's birthparents. The degree of openness is determined by the desires of the parties.
Many families choose to have some form of ongoing contact both before and after the adoption.
An adoption agency or attorney can act as an intermediary with minimally open adoptions. M any birthparents request an in-person visit before choosing a family. It is common to send update letters and photographs to birthparents at least once a year after the adoption is finalized. An agency can act as an intermediary in these cases and nothing more than first names need be disclosed. In a completely open adoption, there is ongoing contact and visits with the arrangements made by the parties themselves.