One of the initial tasks in searching is gathering information and documents. It is obvious why some documents are important. However, you may not understand the significance of others. One of the first documents that you are generally instructed to try to obtain is your non-identifying ("non-ID"). It comes from the agency or state in most instances.

There are many clues in the non-identifying information, even though you may not immediately recognize them. For instance, the occupation of the birth parents are often listed in the non-id information. Initially this fact may not seem important. After you have a name for one of your birth parents, it may become highly significant. Many people can be tracked through their occupations.

Of course people do change careers throughout their lifetimes, but, not everyone does. Therefore once you have a name, finding the person that you seek may become easier. Not only doctors and lawyers, but many professions in the U.S. do have licensing requirements, and records of those who are licensed.

Doctors, nurses, lawyers, private investigators, contractors, architects and many others are licensed in most states. You are often able to find information on-line through some of the licensing boards.

The non-id generally reveals where the birth parents were born as well. Once you have a name, knowing
where your birth parents were born is very helpful. You may be able to figure out their approximate date of birth and locate their birth certificates or other documents related to them.

Another really useful section of the non-id is the age of the grandparents. You can check the social security death index to determine if they are still alive. Once you have a name, you may be able to find an obituary for grandparents, and track your birth mother or father in that way. Funeral home directors have been known to be helpful as well.