With so many people across the United States engaged in a birth parent search, it is no wonder that people have questions on where to start looking, even if it is possible to find their birth parents. In the last few decades, the Internet has made searching adoption records much easier.

Therefore, whether you are the birth parents or you are searching for your birth parents, you will want to start here with these frequently asked questions.

FAQ #1: Where do I start to search for my birth parents?

Start by getting an adoptive journal. Before you ask any questions, you will need a place to write everything down. You will soon be given lots of facts, names, dates, places, and agencies. You will need a place to write all this down. This journal will need to be readily available, so don’t make it too big and bulky.

You can keep a master file on your computer, but you will also want something portable. Therefore, don’t think you can “remember” everything and type it up later when you get home.

FAQ #2: Who has the adoption records?

The adoptive parents will have a copy of the records. You should always start with your adoptive parents when looking for records, as they will always have the most accurate information. It may be hard to ask them, but they will have the name of the agency and all the court papers from the adoption process. They could possibly hold the names of the birth parents right there putting an end to the search before it even begins.

Don’t forget to write down all the information you find down.

FAQ #3: What can the adoption agency tell me?

The adoption agency can tell you more than you think. Most people think since adoption records are sealed, they won’t be able to get anything from the adoption agency. Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, you can learn a lot from what is called non-indentifying information. It can include:

•    Possible reasons you were given up for adoption

•    Age of birth parents at time of birth

•    Age and sex of biological siblings at time of birth

•    The ethnicity of your birth parents

•    Medical history of birth parents

•    Religion of birth parents

•    Geographic location of your birth parents at time of birth

FAQ #4: Once I find the birth parent name, what do I do?

Once you locate one or more of your birth parents’ names, it is up to you to proceed. You can do a people search to locate telephone numbers and addresses. At that point, you can decide to call or write. It is hard to say which one is best, as every situation is different. Only you can decide which is right for you.

A birth parent search may not be easy but not finding them is even harder. You can start your search today by looking through adoption records.

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For those who have been adopted, few things are as emotionally charged as starting a birth certificate search.  It was a common practice well into the 1970s to alter birth certificates of children placed in adoptive homes, to prevent them from successfully finding out their biological parents.  This practice has lead to more heartache than any other does in the adoption industry.

Adoption Birth Certificates and State Law
Each state has determined its own position on providing adoptees with their original, unaltered birth certificates.  Some feel that it is the right of the adoptee to know where they came from and whom they are.

Other states, for example New York, feel that they promised the mothers of the children confidentiality and that they must fulfill that promise.  As usual, people have been caught in the middle of an untenable situation.

If you are an adoptee and searching in a state that allows opening adoption records, you are very fortunate.  For others, the internet, adoption registries, and private investigators are all valuable resource.  Sometimes you can find a person who will search for you, free of charge because they feel strongly about the issue, but even that can be an iffy proposition.

Legal Options for Sealed Adoption Records
There are times when you can pressure a state to release your original birth certificate.  The original is kept, even as the amended version takes over as your “true” legal document.  To do so you will need to petition the court and provide a compelling argument for opening the files.  It is a hard process and often unsuccessful.

Process of Elimination for Your Birth Parent Search
Search for your original birth certificate with an online records retrieval database.  A birth certificate search is less straightforward this way, but non-identifying information provided by the adoptive agency may be enough to narrow your list of suspects.  I wish you the very best of luck.

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