Adoption laws, agency attitudes and practices have been changing the past few years. Some of these changes may be very significant and meaningful to a triad member searching for birth family. If it has been a few years since you checked agency policies, you might be pleasantly surprised to find some positive differences. These changes could be reflected in both differences in policies and attitudes of the agency workers.

Check your state laws to determine if any important laws have changed. Some states have made important changes in the past few years that could make an adoption search much easier. Other states currently have legislation underway that could mean easier access to adoption records. Check your local state website, or contact your local legislator and ask if there have been any important changes made allowing more access to adoption records.

Another way to determine if the laws have changed is to hook into the local adoption reform community. Open records' advocates can alert you to new changes in the laws or upcoming legislation. If you believe in the concept of easier access, consider working to advocate for it. Local adoption support groups are usually attuned to new laws or those in the works.

Important changes could include not only laws to make access easier, but, adding state registries or instituting the confidential intermediary system. While both state registries and the intermediary system are not universally acclaimed, both can sometimes facilitate reunions.

Revisit the adoption agency involved in your adoption. Even if the laws have not changed, your agency may have decided to be more helpful if the current laws allow. Or, you may encounter an agency employee who is more amenable to providing you some assistance. If several years have passed since you received your non identifying information, request it again. The agency may have changed the information that they provide.

You can also ask for information that may not have been provided. Agencies are not legally able to provide identifying information in most states, but, they have some leeway to answer questions that could help in your search. Keep your agency updated at all times with your current contact information.

To Be Continued.....................................