Common Adoption Related Terms:

The language and definitions below come from an adoptee perspective, are not intended to reflect “Positive Adoption Language” (PAL), and are not stated out of a dictionary or legal listing. It should be noted that definitions may look different if written by birth mothers, social workers, or others who work with adoptees. Individual preferences and differences in the use of these terms will exist. Honoring and using the language used by each adoptee for themselves and for their story is recommended regardless of popularity of terms or their use in different social contexts. Adoptees may change their preferences over time and this should be honored and understood as a common development for many adoptees.

Adoption Terms

Adoption- The act of an adult or couple legally taking responsibility for parenting a child that they did not conceive, after both birth parents’ rights have been terminated either voluntarily or by the state. Adoption here is not used to reference children who are being raised by one birth parent, and who might also be “adopted” by one step-parent.
Amended Birth Certificate- A birth certificate after it has been altered to identify the adoptive parent/s as the only parents of an adoptee.
Original Birth Certificate- The first unaltered copy of an adoptee’s birth certificate which lists the names of an adoptee’s birth parents. In some states, adoptees are not allowed to request a copy of this.
Identifying Information- The names of birth parent/s and potentially siblings, and a last known address for birth parents (an example of this can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/faq/adoption/what-is-the-difference-between-identifying-and-nonidentifying-information)
Non-Identifying Information- General health and background information given or recorded before or around the time of placement (an example of this can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/faq/adoption/what-is-the-difference-between-identifying-and-nonidentifying-information)
Relinquished/ or Removed- Relinquished is a term that is good to be familiar with, but should not be used unless an adoptee indicates to you that this is their preferred terminology. Again, it is recommended that parents (or anyone not adopted) take the adoptee’s lead on what words they choose to self identify and to tell their story. Language used to describe the time/s when an adoptee no longer lives with their birth family can vary considerably, may be different from the “positive language” narrative that is often promoted, and should be honored on an individual basis.
Adoption Fog/ “Coming out of the Fog”- An adoptees lack of conscious awareness of the effects their adoption has had on them and their lives, and/or the suppressed emotions or thinking related to their adoption experiences. Some adoptees do not prefer this language and use wording such “coming into consciousness” or other similar wording to indicate the same concept.
Search angel- A person who helps an adoptee find and/or reunify with one or more birth family members
Reunion - Often is used to refer to someone who was in a closed adoption, and has since regained contact with birth family member/s. Stating the one is “in reunion” often, but not always, indicates a continued relationship, or the openness for a continued relationship with the birth family.

Terms for Those Involved in Adoption

Adoptee/Adopted person – Refers to the child, youth, and/or adult who ceased to be raised by either birth parent as their primary caregiver, and has been legally adopted during their childhood. It is recommended to follow the lead of the adopted person(s) you are interacting with as to how they may prefer to identify themselves and in what context. Adopted people also may differentiate past and present by using “was adopted” and “is adopted” language in speaking about their stories, and again, this should be honored.
Adoptive parent – refers to the legal caregivers after an adoption is finalized
Biological child/ Sibling by adoption - When used by an adoptee, biological child is most commonly referencing a sibling who is the biological child of adoptive parents. Some adoptees may say my sibling “by/through adoption” instead.
Birth parent/ first parent – Refers to the parents a child was born to and has genetic ties to. Biological may sometimes be used by some adoptees, but this seems less common.
Birth Sibling – Birth sibling is often used to refer to siblings who have the same biological parents as an adoptee, and may be used for half siblings as well. Sometimes an adoptee may choose to use the term biological siblings although this seems less common.
Adoption Triad –Refers to the adopted person, birth parent/s, and the adoptive parent/s. Some advocate that the term below, “Constellation”, should replace “Triad.” However these describe 2 separate and unique groups, and both are helpful and necessary for communicating clearly.
Adoption Constellation – Refers to all members of the extended birth and adoptive family (siblings, cousins, grandparents) or any other members of the adoptee’s social circle (close friends, chosen family, etc- those whom they have close personal relationships with) — However some use this term to include literally everyone that an adoptee might know, including those who know adoptees related to their job/career such as teacher, counselor, social worker, doctor, lawyer, etc. This term is sometimes used to convey that the impact of trauma, related to being adopted, is actually experienced by everyone who knows an adoptee. This implication is inaccurate, offensive, and minimizes the experiences of adoptees especially, but also the experiences of other triad members. Professionals are not equally affected by the adoptee or by adoption and are often part of the adoption system that can contribute to these struggles, and therefore should not be included in this term. Still, since there is not 100% agreement on this term, it can be wise to ask individuals how they are using this term to be sure you are understanding their meaning correctly.
Chosen Family- Refers to those whom an adoptee may choose to include in their concept of family that do not have ties through birth or legal adoption.

Terms for Types of Adoption

Closed Adoption – An arrangement in which an adopted child has no contact with and/or no knowledge of the birth family and may not have access to official records.
Open Adoption – An arrangement in which an adopted child has some degree of contact with the birth family. Limited contact may be referred to as Semi-Open Adoption.
Transracial Adoption – Refers to adoptions where the adoptive parents are of a different race or ethnicity than the adoptee, often (but not always) children of color with White adoptive parents
Same-Race Adoption - Refers to adoptions where the adoptive parents share the same race or ethnicity as the adoptee
Transcultural Adoption – refers to adoptions where the adoptive parents do not share the same cultural background as the adopted person. This may be an aspect of either transracial or same-race adoptions.
InterCountry Adoption/ Transnational/ International adoption – Refers to adoptions where the adoptee is born in a different country than where the adoptive parents live at the time the adoption occurs. This may be an aspect of either transracial or same-race adoptions.
Kinship Adoption- Refers to adoptions in which the adopting parent/s are a relative and part of the birth family or are a close friend of the birth family of the adoptee
Domestic Adoption – Refers to adoptions that occur when the adoptee and adoptive parents are from and live in the same country.