Obtaining adoption records is an important process that can provide families and adoptees with health or identifying information. Records can tell a child if they are predisposed to particular diseases, basic information about the birth family, and depending on consent, can even lead to a reunion between an adoptee and the birth family. While adoption record laws are particular to each state, anyone can take some basic steps to obtain their desired adoption records.
Instructions
1. Visit a local library, the office of a state legislator or search online to obtain a copy of adoption record laws issued by the state from which you were adopted. It is important to be aware of your rights before you begin a search.
2. Visit Childwelfare.gov/nfcad. This site allows you to select your state and will connect you with the location and contact information of your state's adoption archives. Here you can further learn what state-specific laws are in place regarding adoption records and where basic adoption information can be located on the state level.
3. Locate and contact the agency through which your adoption was processed. Find out what aid they are willing to provide, how much the search will cost and how long the process will take.
4. Determine what information the agency is allowed to provide you. Non-identifying Information is available that will provide date and place of birth, age and general description of birth parents, race, ethnicity and medical history of birth parents, education level and occupation at time of adoption, reason for adoption and the existence of other birth siblings. Names and current information of birth parents is not immediately released. The second type is Identifying Information, which allows for possible contact with birth parents or reunion. Consent for release of such information must be obtained from the birth family.
5. Visit Isrr.net/ and register for a free account. This is the website of the International Soundex Reunion Registry, which helps registered users connect with birth relatives. If a match is found in the ISRR data, both parties will be notified.
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