The Best Search Advice
The best search advice comes from those with personal experience and/or successful search results. They offer help to get organized, locate information, and find help and support along the way.
Adoptee Searcher's Handbook Canadian online book with suggestions and resources that can also be applied to US and other foreign country searches.
Colleen's Search Advice Advice for adoptees and birth families beginning a search; also includes ideas and references for Canadian searchers.
Dave's World Based on his own successful search, Dave offers tips, suggestions, and resources for searching adoptees.
Falsified Birth Certificates Be aware that it has happened, and in some places continues to happen. Data by state, compiled by Kate Workman.
For Beginners Ideas for adoptees and birth family members, including making the decision, support, registries, using a searcher, and making contact. From AdopTalk.
How To Get Started From the
alt.adoption FAQ, Jeff Hartung's article on getting your search started applies to adoptees and birth parents.
Rip-Off Protection If you think you're being "taken" on help with your search, contact CERA for free help.
Sample Letters As you start to gather information, you may want to write to the court, agencies, social services, and others to get information and to put your information on file. These samples from the AOL Adoption & Fostering Resource Center offer samples and where to send them.
Shea's Search Series Perhaps the definitive work to be found on the Web; initial link to the entire series covering the decision, getting started, where and how to find documents, wht to do when you find a name, choices to make, and petitioning the court.
Suggestions for Searchers Professional missing persons locator has tips on public information sources.
Things To Think About Before beginning a search, some things to consider, for yourself, your family and the ones being sought, from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
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