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Sealed Adoption Records
State's laws forbid the opening of sealed adoption records. Sealed records can be opened by court order.
This is touchy business and difficult for individuals not trained or skilled in dealing with these matters.
Consult an experienced attorney before pursuing court action.
If you are able to find all-important identifying information, your search can be conducted in much the
same way as any other locate investigation.The most important advice from experts schooled and
experienced in adoption investigations is: you most certainly face difficulties searching for loved ones
separated by adoption.
Your first difficult encounter will likely be with one or more of the public servants who insist on
following to the letter those laws that govern the release of information contained in adoption records.
Federal Adoption Laws
Sealed adoption records will make your search less than
easy. To add to the dilemma, federal adoption laws are governed by rights and
privileges guaranteed by the Freedom of Information Acts as well as by the Right
to Privacy Acts, but are enacted and administered by individual states.
"Information" and "Privacy" are the key words in the names of the important laws that guarantee
citizens the right to access records contained in executive agency and department files pertaining to themselves,
and guarantees that information can be withheld whenever the information disclosed would clearly constitute an
invasion of privacy.
Adoption laws were created "in the best interest of the child" to protect the privacy rights
of both the adoptive family and birth parents. All states protect minor children. After the child becomes an
adult, however, the protection of the "child" would seem irrelevant, but this is not always the case.
State Adoption Laws
States differ in their interpretation of adoption laws. Rules and regulations vary from state
to state. You should investigate the laws pertaining to the states in which you will be searching.
Your library has an index of state laws regarding adoption and the release of information.
If these are not available at your library, ask the research librarian
to help you obtain a copy of the pertinent laws through an inter-library loan. You can also consult a law
library for this information. See Local Information Sources for further information.)
Adoption Support Groups
A search may prove to be emotionally trying for all concerned. Our experts recommend you contact
a support group for assistance. Support groups will happily supply you with information concerning current laws,
new search techniques, and up-to-date information. Some groups maintain a registry. Search and adoption consultants
and group members stand ready to assist you in your search. Services and fees vary considerably. Investigate
thoroughly before you sign a contract.
Adoption Search Consultants
Search Consultants work independently or as part of a group. Charges range from free for voluntary
services to quite expensive when a trained professional with specialized expertise is engaged.
Be certain to inquire about the organization's or individual's qualifications and the costs involved
before making a commitment.
Adoption Search Assistants
These folks aid in searching records, give advice on search techniques, and provide guidance in
applying criteria to your particular situation. Many support groups have Search Assistants associated with their
organizations and will be glad to refer you to one. Some are volunteers connected with the organization and some
are professionals who charge fees that range from very small to quite substantial, especially for "no-name searches."
Adoption Records Searchers
This group of professionals consists of experts who know where records are
located and how to gain access to them. You can hire a Records Searcher to
search all records or to locate difficult-to-find records. When you ask for a
quote, be sure to inquire into what is to be included in the services offered.
Most states charge for searching for a document and coping it. Some Records
Searchers may also expect personal expenses, such as travel, to be reimbursed.
Some Records Searchers retrieve records manually, others rely on computer
database companies and other Information Providers. Submit an
People Search
using our connection to a world network of databases.Genealogical Consultants
To locate a missing relative, it is often necessary to trace family histories. Genealogical Consultants
are highly-trained experts in the field of genealogy. They concern themselves with records and files about people who are
deceased. They search indexed files for information about relatives through census reports from the National Archives and
the Library of Congress. The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints (LDS), has the largest library in the country pertaining to family history, plus a large staff of
professional Genealogical Consultants.
Adoption Legal Consultants
You may encounter situations that require the services of an attorney who may ask you to sign a limited power
of attorney waving the right to confidentially. The attorney will correspond with state agencies and hospitals to request
records on your behalf. Your attorney will also advise you when questions arise concerning legalities or legal forms.
If you cannot afford an attorney, you can contact your local bar association and inquire about legal clinics
whose services may be available to you. Or, you can contact the Legal Aid Society, who may refer you to an attorney who
specializes in adoptee/birth parent litigation.
Adoption Intermediaries
Intermediaries are individuals or institutions that represent the interests of another person or organization.
Courts appoint intermediaries in adoption-related searches and may often make decisions on your behalf that may not coincide
with your search goals.
Adoption agencies also act as intermediaries. These agencies may not take the searcher's personal needs and
feelings into account.
Intermediaries may also be those persons appointed by individuals to act on their behalf. Anyone can be an
intermediary: a friend, a spouse, another searcher, a Professional Consultant, or a Professional Investigator. If you feel
incapable of conducting an investigation yourself because of physical limitations, time restrictions, emotional burdens,
or for any other reason, hiring an intermediary may provide the solution to your dilemma.
When hiring or appointing someone to act as an intermediary on your behalf, sign a limited power of attorney
specifying exactly in what instances that person may act on your behalf, and a waiver of confidentially, which will allow them
access to your personal records. Be sure all records will be returned to you when the search has been completed.
Networking - Adoption Support Groups
Some search and support groups and reunion registries network to broaden the area of search. It is a good idea to register
with a large national reunion registry at the beginning of your investigation. Considering the rapid rate at which searchers
are signing up, you might get lucky right away!
Adoption Reunion Registries
Reunion registers are files indexed by name and other identifying information, such as the child's date of birth, hospital
where born, and physical description. Many search and support groups maintain a registry of their members and/or belong to a national
registry. Those registries are listed with the organizations to which they belong.
Your search will be conducted by entering the data you provide into a database and attempting a match-up with like information.
For this search to be successful, both parties must be registered and actively searching.
State Adoption Reunion Registries
More then half of the states in the USA now maintain their own reunion registry. Some states place restrictions on the release
of information, including psychological counseling or consent from the adoptive parent - regardless of the age of the "child."
Other states are not nearly so restrictive. Check with your state officials to see whether you want to pursue this course of action.
See, State Directory
for listings of state reunion registries. If you were adopted as an infant, your best source for information
will be your adopted family. If you announce that you intend to go ahead with your search, family members may react in
different ways. They may be cold to the decision, in which case, information might not be all that easily forthcoming.
On the other hand, loved ones may support your decision and readily volunteer details of your birth and adoption.
Your decision to take on this search could affect the emotional well- being of family members.
Your parents may feel insecure in their position and fearful of being replaced in your life. Some adoptee do not inform their
adopted parents of their intention to search for birth parents because they do not want to cause them pain. If you do inform
them of your intentions, it is important to reassure them that your need to know your genealogical history does not in any way
threaten your relationship or the love you have for them.
Question family members carefully about anybody who was involved with your adoption. Ask them to try to recall
anything they can about your birth parents. They may know their names. If you were a young child at the time of the adoption,
you may have some recollections about your birth parents.
"The adoptive family can tell you where this adoption took place, how they got you as a child, and who the attorney was.
They don't usually share this information. The search for an adoptee is totally different than the search for a birth parent:
two totally different types of searches.
The adoptive family can tell you where this adoption took place, how they got you as a child, and who the attorney was.
They don't usually share this information. The search for an adoptee is totally different than the search for a birth parent:
two totally different types of searches.
Go to the home for unwed mothers. Of all the places you had connections with during that time period, that is the place
you need to begin. If you can find a yearbook, start calling friends. Somebody might remember a girl who was pregnant that year.
Some people have been found that way. Some people have been found by running an ad in the newspaper. If you know where the
birth mother was from, run a little ad in the paper in that area. If you have a date of birth, you might run a driver's
record check to see if she has a driver's license in that state."
Adoption Search - Looking for Birth Parents
Birth Mother
An adult child of adoption is usually looking for his or her birth mother, mainly because
the mother's name appears on birth and adoption documents. But a woman changes her name when she marries, and the fact that
your birth mother's name may be different now could hinder your search.
Birth Father
Nothing may be known of your father. Try to obtain your father's full name. You may be able to locate him
fairly easily. One thing on your side: a man rarely changes his name.
Fill out our How to Investigate
"Looking for Birth Parent" form to help you with your search.
Adoption Search - Looking for Your Child
If you relinquished a child for adoption, begin by writing down everything you can remember. Make a list of
everyone who had knowledge of the event or was involved in any way, no matter how insignificant that data may appear.
Parents, family members and family friends may have been involved in the adoption. They may even have known
the adoptive family. Arrangements could have been made through a family doctor, attorney, or minister.
Customarily, the parent looking for a child is the mother. Increasingly, fathers too are seeking children
given up for adoption. (To locate a father, first locate the mother. Question her about his identity.)
People to Interview
- Parents
- Minister
- Relatives
- Intermediary
- Family attorney
- Hospital personnel
- State social workers
- Family doctor &delivery doctor
- Unwed mother's home personnel
- Adoption agency personnel
- Records administration
Fill out our How to Investigate
Looking for Your Child form to help you with your search.
Online Adoption Computer Registries
http://www.reunion.com/
On-line Reunion Registries are numerous. Look for other adoption reunion registries by using search engines.
We have provided a sampling of links here to get you started. For individual state registries see our state directory.
Search
ConsultantsIndependent Search Consultants Inc.
(ISC)
http://www.iscsearch.com/
This is a nonprofit organization founded for
the purpose of training and certifying people wishing to become professional adoptee and
birthparent Search Consultants. A rigid program of 500 hours of training is required
for certification. Each consultant agrees to abide by the code of ethics, to
"uphold the highest standards of the profession." This group publishes a
reference guide to state records and many other adoption-related books and printed
materials. One of its most valuable services is aiding searchers who are attempting
to locate a consultant in their local area. Consultants set their own fees.
Search & Support Groups
The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS)
The Church of
Latter-Day Saints Website
Family History Center Online
The Mormon's Salt Lake City Temple headquarters contains the largest collection
of family history records in the world! They have developed the International
Genealogical Index, comprised of more than 108 million names. Each state has a
Family History Center, operated by the church, containing a library with a
specialized collection of records. Each Family History Center offers assistance
from a staff of qualified genealogists who have access to the central
repository. National Headquarters, Ancestry, offers professional search
consultants and a variety of database searches. Research and resource books may
be ordered from library. Ancestry maintains the world's largest on-line
database, much of the data free; some info available by subscription for a fee.
Adoptee's' Liberty Movement Association (AlMA)
http://www.almasociety.org/
ALMA is a nonprofit organization based in New York City with 56 chapters and satellite groups
nationwide, making ALMA the largest search and support group in the United States.
- Services: "Search Buddies" is an all-volunteer group offering assistance, advice, and
moral support.
- Publications: Searchlight is a national newsletter with articles concerning legal
actions, reviews of other publications, and stories about reunions. Individual
chapters also publish newsletters.
- Reunion Registry: The ALMA International Reunion Registry database is the largest of its kind in
the country. Data can be accessed in a variety of ways, including by DOB, hospitals, court
document numbers, etc.
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB)2000 Walker St
http://www.cubirthparents.org/
CUB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering support to parents who are separated from
their children through adoptions. The organization is concerned with policy changes in government.
- Services: CUB offers support meetings and workshops.
- Publications: CUB offers education through publication of books, pamphlets.
- Newsletter: The Cub Communicator is published monthly, offering Soft Shoulders
Available, a publication that provides names and phone numbers of people who are
sympathetic to your search.
- Reunion Registry: The Concerned United Birthparents Reunion Registry &
International Soundex Reunion Registry.
Adoption Crossroads
http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org/ceramain.shtml
This group was founded to offer search and adoption
education to all members of the adoption triad: the adoptee, the adoptive parent, and the
Birthparents. Headquartered in New York City, it has several branches and many
members. The Adoption Crossroads organized "The Council for Equal Rights in
Adoption".
Post Adoption Center for Education and Research (PACER)
http://www.pacer-adoption.org/
PACER offers education and training programs for volunteers and the community in order
to better understand the adoption experience from childhood through adulthood. It
conducts workshops and seminars, and provides professional consultations.
PACER offers a referral service to other search and support groups.
Bastard Nation
http://www.bastards.org/
MISSION FOR ADOPTEE RIGHTS
Bastard Nation advocates for the civil and human rights of adult citizens who
were adopted as children. Millions of North Americans are prohibited by law from
accessing personal records that pertain to their historical, genetic and legal
identities. Such records are held by their governments in secret and without
accountability, due solely to the fact that they were adopted.
Bastard Nation campaigns for the restoration of their right to access their
records. The right to know one's identity is primarily a political issue
directly affected by the practice of sealed records adoptions. Please join us in
our efforts to end a hidden legacy of shame, fear and venality.
Reunion Registries
International Soundex Reunion Registry
(ISSR)
http://www.isrr.net/
ISSR is an international centralized registry open to all adoptees/birth parents, and search and
support groups. The registry provides confidential and voluntary identification on a
national and inter-national scale using the Soundex System developed by the National
Archives. If the system does not produce a match, ISSR will enlist all affiliate
groups. ISSR is a registry, not a support group, but it will refer people to the
appropriate organization. Many support groups offer registration through the ISSR.
Services: MEDICAL-ALERT is a priority system based on medical need.
AID (Artificial Insemination Donor) is a program devised to assist searches.
(See National Archives and Records Administration The Genealogy page.
The Soundex Indexing System http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/census/soundex.html)
Code Number Key Code Number Key Letters and Equivalents
Surname to Soundex Calculator
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