Getting Started With Search
Tips for beginners, laws about access to information, and articles to help you organize your search and determine which tools to use.
Access to Adoption Records
State regulations covering access to identifying and non-identifying (non-ID) information for each state. Includes contact details and information on Confidential Intermediaries (where available).... [more]
Search Basics for Beginners
First steps to take, decisions to make, and things to think about as you approach the search for birth family. It's important to understand your reasons for searching as well as how to get started.... [more]
Search Tips for Birth Parents
Birth parents often do not have the same access to information as adoptees. Whether you want to find or be found, here are some suggestions for birth parents.... [more]
Adoption Search Lesson Series
This series of lessons will help those involved with adoption-related family search learn about basics and search tools, information and resources.
- How to Find Adoption Search Angels
- Making the Decision to Search
- When You Don't Want to be Contacted
- First Steps to Take
- What You Need to Know About Birth Certificates
- Reunion Registries
- Misspellings
- Libraries
Petitions to Open Adoption Records
Petitions to open adoption records provide legal reference points for others considering this approach.
Prepare to Search
Adoption searches for birth parents, siblings, or adoptees takes time, commitment, and emotional balance. Here are tips to help those preparing for an adoption-related search.
Search Tips
Search tips for birth family members, adoptees, and others searching: Index
- Adoptees: Ask Your Parents
- City Directories
- Finding a Maternity Home, Hospital, Agency
- Include Comments
- Interstate Adoptions
- Join a Support Group
- Kentucky Search Tip
- Know the Law
- Learn the Language
- Making Contact by Mail / eMail
- Maryland Tip
- New York Tip
- more
- more
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.
| Adoption Profiles |
|
Add Your Comments!
We want to know what you think. Your comments are important to us and the other readers. You are what makes this site special.