| Alleged/Assumed Father | This term refers to the man who a woman names as the father of her child |
| Biological Father | This term refers to a man that has legal status as the child’s natural father, whether he is married to the woman or not. |
| Birth Family | Any person who is a member of the child’s biological extended family (including aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc.). |
| Birth Father/First Father | he child’s biological father. This term is used only once relinquishment has been signed. Until then, we use the term “expectant father” or simply “father” |
| Birth Mother/First Mother | The child’s biological mother. This term is used only once relinquishment has been signed. Until then, we use the term “expectant mother” or simply “mother.” |
| Birth Sibling | The adoptee’s biological sibling from either birthparent. |
| Chosen | Term used once an expectant mother selects a family to make an adoption plan for the child. |
| Entitlement | The feeling of worthiness to be the child’s parents. Contrary to its negative connotation in other instances, the word “entitlement” refers to a positive feeling of confidence for adoptive parents. |
| Entrustment Ceremony | This is a voluntary, non-mandatory ceremony in which the birthmother “entrusts” the life of her child to the adoptive family. It is often a personal time for the birthmother and adoptive family to visit with one another. |
| Expectant Mother | Any pregnant woman. In the adoption world, this includes a woman who is actively making an adoption plan. She is still considered a child’s mother until she has legally signed relinquishment of parental rights; only then do we use the term “first mother” or “birth mother.” |
| Finalization | The adoption is consummated at this time and the adoptive parents become the legal parents of the child in front of a judge. This may occur after the satisfactory completion of the six month post placement supervision period. |
| Hopeful Adoptive Parents | This term refers to a couple who has matched with an expectant mother. |
| Legal Father | This term refers to a man who is married to the expectant mother. He may or may not be the child’s biological father. |
| Match Meeting | A time where an expectant mother meets with a waiting family who she may be interested in learning more about. |
| Matched | Term used once an expectant mother selects a family to make an adoption plan for the child. |
| Paternity Registry | In the State of Texas, The Bureau of Vital Statistics provides an opportunity to protect the rights of fathers who believe they may have parented a child. The law states that it is a man’s responsibility to know that a pregnancy could occur from a sexual encounter and to “register” his information if he wishes to preserve his rights as a parent. The form must be filed before or within 30 days of child’s date of birth. |
| Post Adoption Services | This term refers to services provided by the agency following the adoption of a child. |
| Post Placement Supervision | The six-month period following placement in which the agency remains the managing conservator of the child and must have monthly contact with the family to supervise the child’s growth, development and integration into the Family. |
| Service of Citation | A legal procedure in which a biological father is personally served with citation. This may occur when a biological father has not responded after having been located and contacted regarding his alleged paternity. If the father does not respond by timely filing an admission of paternity or a counterclaim for paternity his rights may then be terminated. |
| Termination of Parental Rights | If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence grounds for termination of the parent-child relationship, it shall render an order terminating the parent-child relationship which divests the parent and the child of all legal rights and duties with respect to each other. |
| Relinquishment of Parental Rights | The document that a parent signs to voluntarily terminate their rights to parent his or her child. This document is permanent and irrevocable. In the state of Texas, a woman may not sign this document until at LEAST 48 hours after the birth of her child. If a child has a legal father, he must also sign a relinquishment document. |
