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(c) 2005-2008 by me |
Search Basics
All searches have a beginning. Start yours by keeping a search log or journal - anything that will help keep you organized. Careful documentation is the key that will help you put together a large puzzle from small pieces.
The laws governing adoption vary widely, so much depends on when and where the adoption occurred.
FIRST, you should try to obtain as much information as
you can, including the birth certificate (amended and original, if you can obtain it), the birthmother's
relinquishment or consent papers, and the final decree of adoption. Depending
on which member of the triad you are (birthparent, adoptee, or adoptive
parent), some of this information may be unavailable to you, especially the original birth certificate.
One thing that should be available to you is non-identifying information.
What constitutes "non-ID" varies according to when and where
the adoptee was born. Usually it includes basic information such as the
birthparents' ages, marital status, religion, education, and occupation.
In agency adoptions it should be available from the agency, in private
adoptions from the attorney or court where the adoption was finalized.
SECOND, you should register with the International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR, or Soundex). It's the largest and one of the best known adoption registries, pre-dating the Internet. And, it's free.
THIRD, seek out an adoption search support group that is familiar with the state(s) in which you are searching. There are many such groups available online, and probably some that meet locally in your area. Check with your local library, contact the adoption agency (if there was one), or search online.
Here are additional resources for the beginning searcher:
- Shea's
Search Series, from Bastard Nation, is an excellent search primer.
- The Adoption
Search Lesson Series is from Adopting.org. They also have a Getting
Started With Search section.
- OriginsUSA
has advice for beginning searchers.
- Also check the Recommended Reading list for beginner's search books.
Those in critical medical need should try these links:
And don't forget the additional search resources on this site, especially the ones listed by state.