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No matter what your reason for searching for your birth parents, you
must remember that it will very possibly be an emotionally draining experience. There
may be times where you are walking on clouds and times where it seems like you are lower than low. It will likely not be easy and your birth parents may not want to be found (though they may want to be
as well), here are some suggestions in the start of your search.
FINDING YOUR PARENTS NAME OR YOUR BIRTH NAME
It is necessary
to first write down everything you know about your birth and adoption.
*Name of Hospital you were born at
* Name of Agency that handled your adoption
- Adoptive Parents- Your adoptive parents may
have a wealth of information. Write down ALL
information they can provide, even if it seems like nothing. If you feel comfortable, then you may also ask relatives
and family friends your questions.
2. Gather All Documents-
*Ask your adoptive parents
*Contact the appropriate government official for documents
a. Amended birth certificate
b. Petition
for adoption
c. The
final decree of adoption.
- Contact the Agency or the State that handled
your adoption for your non-identifying information. This non-identifying information will be released to the adoptee, adoptive
parents, or birthparents, and may include clues to help you in your adoption search. The amount of information varies depending
upon the details that were recorded at the time of the birth and adoption. Each agency, governed by state law and agency policy,
releases what is considered appropriate and non-identifying, and may include details on the adoptee, adoptive parents, and
birth parents such as:
- Medical history
- Health status
- Cause of and age at death
- Height, weight, eye, hair color
- Ethnic origins
- Level of education
- Professional achievement
- Religion
On some occasions, this non-identifying
information may also include the parent’s ages at time of birth, the age and sex of other children, hobbies, general
geographical location, and even the reasons for the adoption.
- Register in State and National Reunion Registries, also known as Mutual Consent Registries, which are maintained by government
or private individuals. A recommended registry is International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR).
- Join an adoption support group or mailing
list. Beyond supplying much needed emotional support, adoption support groups can also provide you with information concerning
current laws, new search techniques, and up-to-date information. Adoption search angels may also be available to assist with your adoption search.
- If you're very serious about your adoption
search and have the financial resources (there is usually a substantial fee involved), consider petitioning for the services
of a Confidential Intermediary (CI). Many states and provinces have instituted intermediary or search and
consent systems to allow adoptees and birth parents the ability to contact each other through mutual consent. The CI is given
access to the complete court and/or agency file and, using the information contained in it, attempts to locate the individuals.
If and when the intermediary makes contact, the party searching gives the person found the option of allowing or refusing
contact. The CI then reports the results to the court; if the contact has been refused that ends the matter. If the person
located agrees to contact, the court will authorize the CI to give the name and current address of the person sought to the
adoptee or birthparent. Check with the state in which your adoption occurred as to the availability of a Confidential Intermediary
System.
My husband and I are not overly familiar with searching
for birth parents, but found this information in a wonderful Internet article by a woman named Kimberly Powell which provided
us with this information.
We hope this helps! May God bless you on this arduous
journey!
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