Adoption Disruption and Dissolution

Series Title: Numbers and Trends

Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published: 2012

(PDF - 263 KB)

A small percentage of adoptions disrupt (end before finalization) or are dissolved (ended after finalization). This factsheet looks at the statistics for adoption disruption and dissolution, examines the associated factors, and reviews trends. Factors associated with the child, family, and agency are explored.

Table of Contents

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons
(Factsheets for Families)
Impact of Adoption on Adoptive Parents
(Factsheets for Families)

Acknowledgment(s): The original (2005) version of this factsheet was developed by Child Welfare Information Gateway, in partnership with Susan Freivalds. This update is made possible by the Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The conclusions discussed here are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views or policies of the funding agency.

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012). Adoption disruption and dissolution. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.