Recently, it seems as if folks who have contacted me in regards to search have emailed me some questions that I thought would be good to answer on this blog.

Q: Where are (or who has) my adoption records?
A: In most states the adoption records are maintained in the county which the adoption was finalized. Often times, but not always, this is the county the adoptive parents lived in at the time of the adoption. The placement agency also maintains records and may have additional information that is not maintained on the county level.

Q: May I obtain a copy of my adoption record?
A: Unfortunately, not entirely. In most states, adoptees can obtain non identifying information regarding birth parents and him or her self from the adoption record. There are a minimal number of states that the adoptee can obtain a copy of their original birth certificate.
Sadly, in some states birth parents are not granted the right to receive written information pertaining to the child they relinquished to adoption. In many states, adoptive parents are able to obtain non identifying information on behalf of the adoptee if he or she is a minor.

Q: Why can’t I see my whole record with identifying information when it is about me? It should be mine!
A: The agencies and counties through out the country must follow the current law. You may want to contact the American Adoption Congress which advocates for adoption reform and provides education. The website is www.americanadoptioncongress.org

Q: How can I get identifying information?
A: In many states an adoptee can obtain identifying information if the birth parent or sibling is found and consents to the release of identifying information. What I am trying to say is that the agency can release that birth parents identity to the adoptee after receiving permission from the birth parent who is found.

Q: Why do I have to pay for information that should be mine?
A: Unfortunately, the county and agencies often times don’t receive funding for post adoption search services through the state or private sources. The expense incurred during the search process as well as the time invested by the employees can be significant. Many agency’s and county’s will charge for the service to cover their cost and many do not profit from providing post adoption search assistance.

Q: I want to search but am not sure if I am read to take the emotional risk…what should I do?
A: There are steps that you can take to open the doors in the event that someone is searching for you. I recommend taking the following steps.
1) Request the non identifying information from your adoption record. This may help you to understand your adoption story and in some cases provide medical family history.
2) Consider a mutual consent reunion registry. These registries are free and voluntary. If the person you are searching for has registered, the registry will match your information and contact you. The ISRR is a national mutual consent registry that I recommend everyone to register with. The web address is www.isrr.net.
3) Educate yourself about the issues of search and reunion. You can do this through reading and joining a support group.
4) Consider individual counseling