What Is An Adoption Search?
An adoption search is a search for information regarding members of the adoption triad, typically done by people involved in a closed adoption situation. Thankfully, open adoptions such as the adoptions conducted through American Adoptions have nearly eliminated the need for adoption searches by providing an opportunity for birth parents and adoptive families to stay in touch after the adoption is finalized.
Who Searches?
- Adult adoptees
- Birth parents
- Birth siblings
- Genealogy enthusiasts
…or anyone who is interested to learn more about the people involved in their closed adoption.
Why Would You Want to Conduct an Adoption Search?
For adoptees and birth parents that entered into an adoption before open adoption became the norm, they may have little to no information about their adoption roots.
Birth parents of the closed adoption era sometimes spend decades not knowing if the child they placed for adoption grew up happy, healthy, or even if they’re alive. Adoptees of outdated closed adoptions grow up not knowing who their birth parents were or why they were placed for adoption and feeling a disconnect between their biological history and their adopted present.
On the other hand, many birth parents and adoptees decide not to search for their biological family members. You might not feel emotionally ready to take that step, or maybe you simply don’t feel compelled to seek out that adoption connection. Not every adoptee or birth parent experiences a desire to reconnect with that part of their history.
Whatever you decide, your adoption search (or decision to not search) should be emotionally satisfying for you — not draining. Deciding whether or not to search for biological family members should done in an effort to achieve a sense of peace with your adoption and your personal adoption story. It’s 100 percent your choice to search or not; nobody else’s.
Should You Search for Your Birth Mother or an Adult Adoptee?
An adoption search isn’t the right path for everyone. Carefully research how to find your birth parents or how to find an adopted child before you begin your search, and be prepared for laws regarding adoption records in your state. Talk to others who’ve searched, are searching, or who’ve had a successful adoption reunion for tips, support and advice.
How to Search for Biological Family Members
There are five steps to finding your birth parents or the person that you placed for adoption as a child.
To find your birth parents, you’ll need to:
- Talk about your decision to begin an adoption search with your parents (if living) to gather any helpful information they may have
- Check with your state’s adoption reunion registry
- Request your adoption records from the county where you were born
- Get in touch with the person or agency who arranged your adoption, if possible
- Determine your adoption search strategy
To find an adult adoptee, you’ll need to:
- Talk to the person or agency who completed your adoption, if possible, to gather any helpful information they may have
- Request access to your adoption records
- Talk to the County Court Clerk where your adoption took place
- Check with your state’s adoption reunion registry
- Determine your adoption search strategy
Some Final Advice about Adoption Searches
Searching for birth parents or an adult adoptee is a major undertaking on both a practical and emotional level. You should be very sure that this is something that you want and that you’re ready for any outcome before you begin.
Having a support system in place can help you through what is often a difficult process for adoptees and birth parents alike. An adoption search can be an incredibly rewarding and emotionally fulfilling experience for those involved in an adoption, but it can also be a complex journey; having people you can talk to about what you’re experiencing will be important.
For many, the goal of their adoption search is to achieve an adoption reunion — reconnecting with a birth family member or an adult adoptee, often decades after their adoption.
Looking for my daughter Keyona Shanese Myles born Dallas, Texas at Parkland Memorial Hospital January 23, 1994
Looking for my daughter ,her birth name was carolann Franco
Born Jan 12 1987.she was born in baton rouge, Louisiana.
I need help. I was adopted 40 yrs ago and have several rare genetic diseases. I’m trying to get medical information and meet any siblings that could link me to a parent or give me medical information.
I was adopted in New Albany Indiana out of St. Edwards Hospital in May of 1960. My birthday day is May 25 1960. Time of birth 3:56 am. Mother’s name is Celeste King. Her Dob. 10/7/1930.
Looking for birth parents. I was born in Sioux City, Iowa on Dec. 16, 1968 at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Looking for my birth daughter born March 20, 1980 in Mineola, NY, Nassau County. Named at birth Pamela Lynn. Renamed Mary Kate by her adoptive parents. Adoptive parents were attorneys.
Looking for my birth parents. I was adopted Jan. 12, 1955 in Spokane Washington.
Good afternoon. I would like to find my original birth records and parents. My birth certificate was torn and taped from the first day that I saw it so I knew it had been altered. Please help me asap.
Hi, Janice — Unfortunately, we cannot offer personal advice in your search. We encourage you to start with the county clerk where you think your adoption was finalized. You can also contact a local adoption attorney or private investigator for assistance: https://consideringadoption.com/adopted/search-and-reunion/how-to-open-adoption-records Good luck!
I am looking for my birth parents, at least my mom. I have 2 siblings also through her. I was adopted in April 1987.
Hi, Christin — Here are a few tips during your search for your birth family: https://consideringadoption.com/adopted/search-and-reunion/how-to-find-your-birth-parents-5-steps-you-can-take Good luck!
I’m looking for my birth parents, at least my mom. I was adopted in 2010 and I’m 13 years old I just want to meet my biological mother and father my birth name was Audrie Aguilar if that helps at all
Hi, Audrie — Have you talked to your adoptive parents about your search for your birth parents? They may be able to provide crucial information, such as the agency you were adopted through or the county where your adoption was finalized. Because of your young age, we do not recommend you complete this search on your own. Please be open with your parents about your desires, or work with a professional to ensure your safety. Here are a few more tips: https://consideringadoption.com/adopted/search-and-reunion/how-to-find-your-birth-parents-5-steps-you-can-take Good luck!
Looking to find information on my mothers adoption. I dont have access to adoption records due to family not willing to cooperate. Where should I start? Thank you!
Hi, there — You might need to look into hiring a private investigator, if you cannot work with your family to access the adoption records. Here are a few more tips for adoption searches: https://consideringadoption.com/adopted/search-and-reunion/how-to-find-your-birth-parents-5-steps-you-can-take Good luck!
Hi I am Looking for my Biological Mother or my Uncles, I know she went to Fox Tech High school. I was born on June 29, 1968 at 1:43 am. I was born at RBGH. I know I may have 2 uncles 1 was in construction, and the other was military. I may have been adopted in July of 69. Not to for sure. my Name was changed after I was adopted, but my Biological last name is Rodriguez.
I am hoping to find my biological half sister on father side maybe living in Texas
I was born in California July 10 1959
my adoption was finalized 1960 my last name
was changed on birth certificate I don’t know
my biological father name
I was hoping to find my birth parents. My biological last name , was miller.. but my mother’s last name is doty.
I was born in lehigh county , Allentown PA.
If anyone can help ..i would very much appreciate it. I keep getting stuck over and over again due to lack of knowledge of my birth parents and where to look.
I took a DNA test and found some cousins.. but not much else .
I was adopted, and have been trying to find my birth parents or just information. I have checked my SS# and have to my surprised realized it was issued 5 years later. I use to have my original Shot Records and to my surprise had a fire year difference as well. My birthday on the Shot Records are totally different then what my birth certificate says. I would like to have help on were to go and to get some help. Can someone please help me out? Thank you….
My name is olga tarango born on May291973 but on the year 1976 i was brought up in montereypark by marina nolasco herrera and luis castro Tarango im 48 years old now. Im wondering how my birthcertificate is an original certificate.when i came too them i was 3years old
Looking for me birth mother .I am a black female born may 25,1970 lake county Florida