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While
there's no way to access actual "adoption records"
online, there are resources and databases that have been created
by citizens for the purpose of reuniting biological relatives.
If
you'd like to locate either a birthparent or biological child,
there's a few ways to go about it - but be pre-warned, it
can be a difficult and time-consuming process, especially
if it's not in your budget to hire location services or intermediaries.
You also have to be prepared for whatever you might find,
as well as understand why you want to conduct this
search in the first place.
This
article will briefly explain what you need to do, and there's
resource links (and searchable databases) listed below as
well.
To
begin, you'll want to document basic details about yourself
that you can potentially use to "match" to other
records that will come up as you progress with your search.
This includes things like the hospital where you were born
(or where your child was born), the date of birth, the agency
that handled the adpotion process and any other important
details that you currently know or have access to regarding
the initial adoption.
In
general, your first priority is to determine the name(s) of
either the birthparents or the child, depending on your
situation.
If
you were adopted as a child and are now seeking to find your
birthparents, the source that's most likely to have valuable
information to you would be your adoptive parents. Start with
them and obtain as much information as you can.
The
next step in either situation (as adoptee or birthparents)
is to obtain "non-identifying information" about
the other person from the applicable government agency in
your state. See the resource links below for details on how
to get this data.
Once
you have those records, it's time to start registering with
all of the available "mutual consent" registries
in case your biological parent/child has also registered,
or in case they decide to at some point in the future. Again,
see our resources below for details.
If
you have the budget, you may also want to consider hiring
a Confidential Intermediary (CI) service/professional to act
on your behalf to legally communicate with each party of the
initial adoption agreement to see if the child or birthparent
wishes to amend the agreement to allow for the waiver of the
original confidentiality conditions, as is relevant to the
situation.
CI's
are trained to mediate such cases, and act with legal/court
approval.
If/when
you're able to determine the other party's name during your
search process, you can then use the same steps you'd take
to locate
a person.
Get
started with your adoption search right below...
Nationwide
Adoption Records Resources:
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International
Soundex Reunion Registry
- This is the largest adoption "reunion" registry,
and has been active since 1975 as a non-profit service
for people seeking family members.
About.com
Adoption Registry List
- This is a detailed directory of the major adoption
registries and services.
Adoption
Search (Peace Monastery)
- This is very large database of adoption records that
have been compiled and managed by the clergy staff at
Peace Monastery. They are donation supported, so if
you find any records, please consider supporting their
mission.
AdoptionDatabase.org
(Advanced Search)
- Another large and comprehensive adoption records archive.
Searching is free, and registering your own data is
donation-supported.
Directory
of State Agencies With Adoption Records
- Choose your state on the map to see what kind of process
exists for applying for adoption records in that state.
Specific office contact details are also provided..
Note: There are restrictions on what kind of access
you may have to a given record. Only AL, AK, KS, NH
& OR are "open records" states when it
comes to adoption. Other states have varying laws but
will usually release non-identifying information upon
request.
Find
a Professional Adoption Researcher
- Also provided by adoption.com is a referral service
where they connect you with a professional in your local
area. Fill out and submit the form on this page to get
started.
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