Adoption is a legal process through which an individual or couple becomes the permanent parents of a child who is not biologically theirs. This process provides the child with a stable family environment and the legal rights and responsibilities of parenthood. Adoption can occur through various means, including private agencies, public foster care systems, or international programs. There are different types of adoption, such as open adoption, where the birth parents maintain some level of contact with the child, and closed adoption, where there is no contact or information shared. The adoption process typically involves background checks, home studies, and legal proceedings to ensure the best interests of the child are met.