Who Names the Baby?
There’s no doubt that there are many questions surrounding the adoption process. One aspect that may be swirling through your mind is your baby’s name. You likely want to pick a name for your child, so you could be curious about what the naming process entails. How does it work, exactly? That’s why we’re here to explain it.
If you would like to get free adoption information now, then you can fill out our online contact form at any time. But, we have also created this thorough guide that provides details on everything you need to know about the naming process in adoption.
Who Names the Baby in Adoption?
A birth parent can always name their baby on the original birth certificate, but it is ultimately up to the adoptive family to name the baby once the adoption is finalized. Some birth parents and adoptive families might agree on a name together, or the birth parent can name the baby something and then the adoptive family can change it.
You may be asking, “What can adoptive parents promise to a birth mother in the naming process?” In many cases, the adoptive family will keep your baby’s original name as a middle name. Having an open adoption relationship with the adoptive family is a better guarantee that your naming desires will be honored, often as a middle name.
Although you may want your baby to keep their original name, it is important for the adoptive family to be able to name the child. This is because it is a major first step in the bonding process as they raise the child.
Still, you will always have the chance to name your baby when you choose adoption. As a prospective birth parent, you are in 100% control of your adoption plan from start to finish. While you and your trusted adoption professional create your hospital plan, you will also decide if you’d like to give your baby a name.
Once you give birth, a hospital staff worker will give you the birth certificate so that you can fill it out. This is when you’ll put your baby’s name on the birth certificate. Also, you’ll wait 24-72 hours, depending on what state you give birth in, before signing any adoption paperwork. This guarantees that you’re in a stable state of mind before you sign something this permanent.
How the Naming Process Works
As we mentioned earlier, the adoptive family can select a new name for the baby. This is because there are two birth certificates in adoption: the original certificate and the amended certificate.
- The original certificate lists your name and your baby’s name, including the name you gave for the baby if you did.
- The amended certificate, on the other hand, lists the adoptive parents’ names and the baby’s new name, if they decided to give them a new name.
While you’re filling out the original birth certificate at the hospital, you can include a name you’ve chosen for your baby. You can also invite the adoptive parents to come up with a name alongside you.
But, what happens if the adoptive family chooses a different name? If you have an open adoption relationship and have talked about a name together, this will almost certainly not happen.
On the other hand, if this is not something you have discussed, then the adoptive family is completely within their rights to choose a name for the baby. This can be a very special and important step for them in the adoption process.
After you give birth and sign the adoption paperwork, you will officially become a birth parent. But, the adoptive parents’ journey isn’t quite over just yet. Although they have already started raising the child, they’ll need to appear in court several months later.
This process is known as adoption finalization, during which a judge will issue a final decree of adoption. Alongside this decree, the adoptive family will also receive the amended birth certificate.
This amended birth certificate lists the adoptive parents as the people officially responsible for the child’s well-being, and this certificate also grants them the chance to give the baby a name. Some adoptive families change the baby’s name, but others do not. This all depends on the unique circumstances. Be sure to speak with both your adoption professional and the hopeful adoptive parents about the naming process beforehand.
Open Adoption and Naming the Baby [What You Need to Know]
The vast majority of adoptions today are open. This means that there is ongoing contact between the prospective birth parent and the hopeful adoptive family before, during and after placement. In other words, adoption never has to be “goodbye.” Instead, it can simply be “see you later.”
You can all stay in touch with one another using whatever communication method you prefer, such as:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Zoom or Skype calls
- Emails
- Handwritten letters
- In-person visits
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
Because you are the prospective birth parent, you get to decide what level of openness you are most comfortable with. When it comes to how open adoption works with the naming process, it means that you can work directly with the hopeful adoptive parents on what you’d both like to name the baby, if they are open to that.
Being open about your needs and preferences for naming can help establish trust with the adoptive family. It’s important to be transparent with them.
Keep in mind that your adoption professional can help you with this, too. They can even mediate the conversation if you want. They can ensure that everyone’s needs are met and that the adoption naming process goes over smoothly without any hurt feelings.
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This can be a lot of information to wrap your head around at once, so we understand if you have some more questions about naming your baby. If that’s the case, then you can get more adoption information now by contacting us online at any time.