All Orthodox and Conservative rabbis, and many Reconstructionist and Reform rabbis require formal conversion in a mikvah. However, other Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis say that a naming ceremony without immersion is sufficient. These children will run into difficulty if they someday choose to join a Conservative or Orthodox synagogue, marry a more traditional Jew, or move to Israel. Parents who want a traditional conversion, particularly if they are not strictly observant, may find it difficult to find a rabbi to supervise that conversion. Even after conversion, there are a number of halakhic issues.
Most authorities permit the father's name to be used, but some forbid it.
Orthodox authorities forbid it, but Conservative and Reform rabbis permit it. Most authorities would equate the obligations of biological and adoptive children toward their adoptive parents. The questions of obligations to birth parents remain unanswered. A particularly emotional question is the adoption by Jewish families of non-white children, whether black, Asian, or Indian. The problem lies with the sociological attitudes in the Jewish community.