Whether you were born in this country or not, seeking adoption info all has the same results; questions. Without an understanding on how adoption works and what to look for, you can be left feeling overwhelmed and under informed. To help make the adoption search easier, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions for out of country adoptions.

What should I look for first?
The first thing you need to find out is if you were adopted from a Hague Adoption Convention Country or not. You can check the U.S. list of countries to determine if your native country is part of the convention.

What is the difference between a Hague Adoption Convention Country and not?
The only way to enter the U.S. legally from a Non-Hague Adoption Convention Country is to be considered an orphan. Adoptees from Hague Adoption Convention Country do not have to be considered orphaned to enter legally.

What forms can I look for?
Hague Adoption Convention

• I-800 Petition – This petition asks the child be considered a relative.
• I-800A Petition – This form asks the child to be considered eligible for adoption.
• INA – The Immigration and Nationality Act requires all children from Hague Adoption Convention to go through this process.

Non- Hague Adoption Convention

• I-600 – This is similar to I-800 and classifies the child as an immediate relative.
• I-600A – This form declares the child an orphan and eligible for adoption under orphan status.

How do I know if I was adopted from a Hague Adoption Convention Country or Not?
There are 77 countries involved in the convention. You can find a complete list of countries by checking the U.S. list of countries. There you can check the county from which you were born to see if it is a part of the convention.

Is there any other way to be adopted from another country?
Since every country has different laws, it is possible to be adopted in a different manner. However, you cannot enter this country legally through any other manner. This is why adoptive parents are advised to seek out these forms first. Otherwise, while they can adopt the child, they will not be able to bring the child into the country.

How do I finding Court and Adoption Records
You can quickly and easily search through U.S. records online. The online database will be able to sort through the adoption info and give you the information you are searching for.

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You want to locate your birth parents but have no idea where to begin. There is so much information out there and getting started can become overwhelming very fast. How do you sort through all the information to find someone whom you have not seen in 20 or more years? This among other questions are common for anyone attempting to locate their birth parents.

Can you locate your birth parents after such a long time of no contact?
While no one can say you can find the people 100% of the time, a good database will give you access to 90% of the people. This means you have a good chance of locating your birth parents once you start your search.

I Have a First Name but no Last Name. Can I still search?
Obviously, the more information you have, the more likely you are to receive accurate results. However, if you have a first name, then you are closer than most people who begin their search.

You will want to search for a last name, a birth date, approximate age, or possible state they live in. Any one of these items will narrow down the pool enough for you to start making phone calls.

I Don’t Want my Adoptive Family to Know I am Looking. Is it Possible?
While you can receive tons of information from your adoptive family, they do not need to know you are searching. The best part of searching online is the privacy factor. No one but you needs to know about your search. Search in the privacy of your own home and share the results only if you choose.

Do I Have to Hire a Private Eye?
Absolutely not. In fact, websites like this can give you all the information you need to search for yourself.  You can read all kinds of tips to improve your search such as:

• How to locate someone by birth date
• How to locate someone by SSN
• Where to begin your birth parent search
• How to locate someone through court/vital records
• How to use an address search to find a more current address
• And So Much More

Deciding to search for your birth parents was hard enough, searching should be easy. Quickly and easily, locate birth parents with the adoption record search. Your information will stay private and you can begin as early as right now. Good Luck Searching.

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Whether you are trying to find a long lost relative or trying to fill out the family tree, a probate search may be the answer you are looking for. Many people search birth records, marriage records, and divorce records but they forget about the probate records. This one simple tool can give you more information than you think. Here’s how.

Why Bother with a Probate Search?
What people do not realize is that the probate records contain more than just the property records. It actually tells you who the estate was given to and who thought they had a claim. That means you now get lots of names you may not know existed.

If a Will is involved, then you see who the deceased thought was important. The Will can include more than just immediate family. It may include cousins, aunts, friends and anyone else. Search through these names and you might find a family connection.

Sometimes, people are not included in the Will. They can file a claim with the court as well. These people are also included in the probate records. So not only do you see who the deceased thought was important, but you see who else thought they should be included.

Where to Begin with a Probate Search
The easiest place to start is online. You can search through the records online before ever reaching a courthouse. Unless you need an official copy, there is no real reason to go to the county court.

You will need the name of the deceased (decedent) to search online. If you know the state and county, then this will make searching online easier. However, this information is not necessary.

What to do with the Probate Information
You did the search and now you have all this information. Unfortunately, you do not know what to do with it all. It can be overwhelming but here are some tips on what to do next.

• Birth Records Search – The first thing you want to do is search the birth records. This way you can get an idea if they belong in the family tree. Not everyone listed, will be part of the family.
• Divorce Records Search – Once you find a member of the family, search the divorce records. Divorce records will list the spouse and any children.
• People Search – The probate records will list the name and address. Conduct a people search to locate members and find out what they know.

You can start your probate search now and start filling out that family tree tonight. It is simple and easy.

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There are many reasons to use a birth date search. Mainly it is trying to locate someone you have lost contact with over time. In these cases, if you have the birth date, then you stand a very good chance of finding the person you are looking for fast. If you follow these tips for locating different people, you just might talk to them tonight.

Finding Old Classmates:
Locating people that you went to school with is often easier than you think. Besides class reunion registries, you have the added benefit of searching for people you’re your hometown. In addition, you have the bonus of knowing the maiden name of classmates.

TIP – When you do a people search by name and hometown, the birthday really narrows down the choices. This makes locating them that much easier.

Finding an Ex
Many times men and women separate on not so good terms, especially when there are kids involved. Then child support stops coming and the ex disappears. The chances are you will know the birth date of your ex, which will help tremendously.

TIP — Do an employment search on your ex. The chances are your ex will have to have a job to support themselves. At the very least, you can get the last employer, which will tell you the town they lived in. This way you can do a people search and then an address search.

TIP – Try a people search as well. Since you have a birth date, you know that you can narrow down the results fast, even on a nationwide search. Then search phone records to get a phone number. After a few quick phone calls, you will know which person is the right one.

Finding a the Right Database
You most definitely want to search online. There is no need to stand in line at courthouses when you can search online. You can search databases in the privacy of your own home and no one needs to know you are searching.

The right database will be more than just “cheap.” You will want a database that has access to multiple records. This way you do not waste your valuable time searching website to website.

TIP – Make sure the database keeps your search private. You can check the “Privacy Policy” page on most websites to determine how they treat your information. In addition, the website should state that the searches are anonymous.

We found a website that has a nationwide database of public records that are updated daily.  Whether you decide to conduct a birth date search with them or someone else, please keep these tips in mind and good luck in your search!

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When I was growing up, there was a running joke that my grandmother was a year younger than her twin brother was. We had no way of knowing what the truth was because the birth certificate had been forged, until I got the idea to search online for birth data.

Background Information to Start the Records Search
First, you have to know this is an absolutely true story and yes my family is a little crazy. My grandmother, “Jan,” was born in either 1904 or 1905. Her birth certificate said 1905 but her twin brother, “Jon’s,” birth certificate said 1904.

Now, we all know there is no way that my great-grandma had twin babies a full year apart. This is just not happening and they were born in June. So, we can rule out December 31, 1904 and January 1, 1905.

The story goes: My grandma wanted to marry my grandpa but my great-grandparents said no because she was too young at the age of 17.

This made us wonder. Did they lie about my grandmother so she couldn’t get married or did they lie about her brother so he could join the army? My grandmother says she honestly did not remember, which one was the lie.

Simple Online Birth Search
The debate had gone on in our family for years but it was about to be solved with a birth records search. We went online and entered my grandmother’s name and the city she was born. It came up with a record but we wanted to check it against her twin brother’s name. Therefore, we went in and put his name in as well. Sure enough, up came a record for him as well.

You will not believe this, but according to the official records by grandmother and her twin were born a year apart. I thought this was odd, as this cannot be possible. Everyone knows that my grandmother and her brother are twins. It is even listed on the birth certificates as a multiple birth.

After a little more digging, I found the birth certificates were filed in 1922. This told me that they were indeed born in 1904 and that my grandmother was a year younger. I figure they filed the certificate so “Jon” could join the military. They also filed the false certificate so my grandmother could not marry my grandfather for another year.

Conducting Your Own Birth Search
Whatever your reasons to conduct a birth search, you might be surprised at what you find. You do need to realize like I did, that the further back you go, the more likely errors occur. Apparently, it was very easy for the birth certificates to be forged. It is still fun to find out. Start your birth data search today and see what you find.

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The most common reason for doing a birth search is locating the birth parents. If this is the case, you need to be aware of some basic regulations when it comes to searching for your birth parents.

Adoption Law Reminders:

• Each country and each state will have their own laws governing adoption. You might even run into different laws by county. The laws will effect at which age you can legally retrieve the information, what information you can obtain, and who can request the information.
• Some states have “open records.” This means that you can request to see the original birth and adoption information. At the time of writing, Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, and Oregon were such states. Other states will release the information with some restrictions.
• When seeking adoption information, you should look where the adoption took place. This could be different from where you were born.

Conducting a Birth Search

When you do begin searching, there are some things you need to keep in mind as well. Unless you have someone willing to give you the name of the birth father, the process may take awhile.

• Keep an adoption journal – Write everything you find out down. This way you can begin piecing the puzzle together. Every bit of information will help you find your birth parents.
• Try to locate the father first — The birth father is easier to find because he does not change his name. If you locate him, he may be able to help you find the birth mother.
• Register in Adoption Directories — You can go online and register with adoption directories. Several exist to help reunite adopted children and their families. They work by children and parents registering. Then hoping the other one registers as well.
• Online Databases — You can search through adoption databases. Some may tell you the name of the birth parent. Then, once you locate the name of the parent, you can search records for an address or a phone number to contact.

Preparing for First Contact

As harsh as it may sound, not all birth parents want to be found. You need to prepare for this fact. However, that does not mean you should not look or that siblings would not want to be found. A phone call or a letter is better than showing up on someone’s doorstep. It is also much safer. Call ahead and give them a chance to adjust to you coming back into their lives after all these years.

Finding birth parents is easier than ever. You can conduct your own birth search now and start looking for your birth parents today.

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Everyday children around the world are given up for adoption. It is only natural for these children to grow up and want to know about their birth families. Then they begin their search only to come across the harsh reality that child adoption information is often sealed. However, the search for birth families does not have to end there. Follow these basic tips and you might find the birth family you are looking for.

Beginning the search without adoption records
There are many reasons you may not have adoption records. Your family may not want you to have them. They could have been destroyed. Or, like my friends, her adopted parents passed away at an early age and no one knows where they are. This does not prevent you from searching.

Begin by writing everything down you do know.

• Day, place and possible hospital you were born
• Write down all the information you can collect from people around you. Names, numbers, ages, birthdates, cities, states and any other piece of information they can remember about the adoption and the birth parents.

Beginning your search online
The more information you have before you begin searching online, the better. While you can search with just a name or just a date, you will have much better luck narrowing down your search if you have more information. Therefore, try to squeeze out every bit of information you can from friends and family before you begin your online search.

When searching Adoption Records you may find

• Possible parent name
• Background information on birth parents

Searching Divorce Records of the birth parents name may reveal:

• Children from the marriage
• Other names for the birth mother

Searching through Marriage Records  can reveal:

• Full Names of Birth Parents
• Attending priest (who may know the birth parents)
• Names of Bride and Groom’s Parents (Your birth grandparents)

Searching Death Records  can reveal

• Names of living relatives
• Date and Cause of death

Searching through Vital Records may reveal:

• Birth records
• Death Records
• Marriage Records
• Divorce Records
• Adoption Records
• Phone Numbers and Address

If you are searching for your birth family or if you know someone searching for his or her birth family, we can help. Use the child adoption information databases and start finding those you are looking for. The answers to all your questions are out there waiting to be solved. You only need to start looking.

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Recently we started to try to find birth parents for a friend of ours. We thought this process would be simple just like the television shows made it seem. The problem was that even though we had several hundred dollars to search, we had very little information to go on. However, we were able to locate the birth parents. This is our story and we hope that it helps others.

Finding People is NOT as Easy as the Movies
We may have been a little naïve to think, that we could walk into some Humphrey Bogart office and hire a private eye to find a friend’s biological mom. We thought we could give him my friend’s name and birth date and he would come back a few days later with a name and phone number. I was wrong.

I called several places and basically got laughed at. Some were kinder than others were, but they all told me that unless I had the birth mother’s name, I was flat out of luck. Frankly, I thought that if I had the birth mother’s name I wouldn’t need them. Even so, they said it would cost a lot to find her with no information.

Time to Get Sneaky Myself
At this point, we decided we had to be our own private eye to find the birth parents. This meant that I began by questioning all my friend’s family members. Unfortunately, no one could remember the birth mother’s last name. Although, they did remember her first name, which we will call “Kim.”

We also found some more useful information when an aunt remembered that “Kim’s” birthday was two days after a cousin of ours. That meant that Kim was born on July 16. We did not have a year but this was helpful.

Searching Online for Birth Records
We went online and read articles. That is when I found out about asking for non-identifying information from the adoption agency. There we discovered that the birth parents were from Farmersville, Texas. This was huge since it is such a small town.

It also told us that she was 17 at the time of adoption. That meant we now knew the year she was born. Kim was born July 16, 1962.

When we did a birth records search online, we found only one Kim born on July 16 in Greenville, Texas. (Greenville is the city you would be born in if you were from Farmersville.) We had a first and last name. We did a quick people search and voila we had a number. We found her birth mother!

It really is that simple to find birth parents. No need to pay an expensive detective and sort through dusty old books. You can do the research yourself and find everything you need. Start looking today and you just might find who you are looking for tonight.

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In this day in age, many people are looking for birth information. How you go about getting that information will vary greatly depending on why you are looking and what you are willing to do to go about getting that information. Here we will discuss some basic strategies for getting the information you need.

Getting Birth Information on Yourself

Generally, there are two reasons you need birth information on yourself. Either you need a birth certificate for some legal purposes or you were adopted. We will start with the birth certificate.

Finding a Birth Certificate:
You will need a birth certificate if you are getting married, need a passport, getting a drivers license, or a few other legal reason. If you have lost the original, then you will need to apply for a copy.

This can only be done at the county courthouse in the county you were born. You will need to pay a fee and in most cases, you can expect to wait a few weeks. However, some counties are automated and can print it up immediately. Still, you will need to go in person.

Finding Birth Parents:
This is actually a whole other article. However, you can search online for your birth parents. Still, here are some tips to get you started in your search.

• You need to start by asking your friends and family everything they know about the adoption.
• Then you need to petition the adoption agency for non-indentifying information. This can give you information on the age of your birth parents, their ethnicity, the geological location at time of adoption and possible reasons of why they gave you up.
• Keep a journal of all the information you find along the way. You never know which piece of information or what date will lead you to your parents.
• Register with a national adoption registry. The largest one out there is International Soundex Reunion Registry ISRR. Your parents may be looking for you.

Getting Birth Information on Someone Else

Many times, you need a birth date to locate a person. Sometimes you are just being nosy and want to know how old someone is. It doesn’t matter why you are looking. Here are some tips to getting the birth date of someone you do not know.

• Voter Registration – Voter registration records have the birth date listed. Often times, these are easier to track down than birth certificates. You can walk into a voter registration office but you can’t write it down or you can search online.
• Marriage/ Divorce Records – Not only would it be on their marriage records, but it would be on the divorce records of the parents as well. This is a nifty trick when doing genealogy.

Of course, you can always search birth records for birth information. This only requires you have the name of the person you are looking for to do the search. Start your birth information search now and have the information in just a few minutes.

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When you first start your birth records search, it can be quite overwhelming. Ads start popping up saying, “Free Birth Records, Birth Records Database, and Vital Records.” You start clicking around and before you know, there are 50 results with your name. All you wanted was to help your kid with a school project and while you were at it build a family tree.

The commercials on TV make it look so easy. It really is. Take a deep breath and you will see for yourself that finding some birth records online is simple.

Vital Records Search (Court Records)

Vital records are all your public records. This is where you will find marriage/divorce, birth/death/adoption, criminal, and property records. You will start your search for any type of genealogy search here.

Don’t let all these overwhelm you, as you do not need them all and many overlap. For example, for every divorce record there is a corresponding marriage record. Therefore, you don’t need to look up marriage records if you have a divorce record because obviously the couple got married. The same goes for a death record. If a person died, then there has to be a birth record somewhere.

Conducting a Birth Records Search Online

When it is time to conduct a search online, it is best to pick a database that has all these records in one spot. It will make searching easier. Since documents are not easy to locate, a site that has multiple databases will give you a better shot of finding at least one record.

Once you input the name, be prepared for multiple results. This is common, as more than one person will have the same name. You will then have to narrow down the list by city, state, or possible age.

Finding Birth Records Using Other Public Records

Unless you need a birth record, birth records are not an efficient means to tracking down relatives. However, this is how many people try to create a family tree. By the time you have enough information for a birth record, you know enough to move on. The birth record only tells you the name of the parents.

However, if you use birth records to search for marriage and subsequent divorce records, you can hit the jackpot. Divorce records lists all the names and ages of children from the marriage. This builds your family tree fast. Therefore, I highly recommend searching divorce records whenever possible.

All you need to search birth records, marriage records, divorce records, or any other public records is a computer. Take a deep breath and start a birth records search today. It is fast, fun and easy.

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