73adoptee.com: adoption search resources

Glossary

Terms and abbreviations you may come across in your search:

amended birth certificate (ABC)	In closed records, an adoptee's original birth certificate (containing birth names) is sealed, and the amended birth certificate (with adoptive names) is substituted. The ABC lists the adoptive parents in place of the birthparents, and calls the adoptee by his/her adoptive name.
closed (or sealed) records	Adoption records which are closed, or sealed, are unavailable to the participants in the adoption.
confidential intermediary (CI)	Someone appointed (usually by the state) to contact your birthfamily on your behalf. Not all states have CI programs.
final decree of adoption	After the interim order and home study, the final decree is issued. This finalizes the adoption. After this the original birth certificate is impounded and the amended put in its place.
identifying information	Information from adoption records that identifies the participants. For example, the OBC is identifying because it contains the birthparents' names. States vary as to their exact definition of what constitutes "identifying."
interim (or interlocutory) order of adoption	A legal document granting the adoptive parents custody of the child, pending a waiting period after which the final decree is issued.
ISO	"in search of", as in: "female adoptee ISO birthfamily". An abbreviation used on Internet adoption registries and mailing lists.
non-identifying information (non-ID)	Information from adoption records that does not identify the participants. Again, states vary as to the exact definition. Usually non-ID includes the birthparents' ethnicity, occupation, religion, and marital status. It may or may not include age, birthday, or birthparent's place of birth.
open adoption	An adoption in which the birth family and adoptive family are known to each other. This can range from exchange of letters to full integration of both families, and anywhere in between. Not to be confused with open records.
open records	Adoption records which are open allow the participants access to all documentation about the adoption. Specifically they allow the adoptee to access his or her original birth certificate.
original birth certificate (OBC)	In closed records, an adoptee's original birth certificate (containing birth names) is sealed, and the amended birth certificate (with adoptive names) is substituted. The OBC shows the adoptee, under his/her birthname, as having been born to his/her birthparents. States with sealed records deny the adoptee access to their OBC.
triad (or adoption triad)	The three parties to an adoption: the birthparents, the adoptive parents, and the adoptee.