Finding a child you gave up for adoption can have you feeling like you're on a raft in the middle of the ocean with no clear view of the shore. There are more than six million adopted persons in the United States, according to Adoption.com, but just because it feels like you're lost in a sea of people doesn't mean you are. Many families are successfully reunited due to adoption searches. The key to finding your adopted loved one is knowing where to look.
Step 1
Do a little housekeeping, detective work and record keeping. According to adoption experts at Adoption.com, the first step to any successful adoption search is to build a foundation made up of all the information you already have. Any names, agencies, places or dates you can remember will be crucial to your search. Make a system for documenting your research. You never know what might become important later.
Step 2
Register for an adoption search registry. Include as much information as you can in your profile. The International Soundex Reunion Registry (see references) is currently the largest adoption search registry in the world, but there are several others you can also join. If the person you are looking for is also looking for you, the registry will help match you.
Step 3
Try to locate the original adoption records. The Child Welfare Information Gateway's "Online Resources for State Child Welfare Law and Policy" lists the adoption laws by state. Some states allow access to records once the child is 18. Others release records with permission from families or with a court order. Many states release non-identifying information that may be helpful. Contact the county office where your adoption took place and find out how to access your records.
Step 4
Search public records. Marriage, death, property and other records are available to the public. Visit county offices to search for public records that might aid in your search. Search the county's website to see if public records appear online.
Step 5
Visit support groups and web forums. Chat with other people engaged in their own adoption searches. Not only can others offer you support, but they can also offer you valuable search tips.
