Consider carefully before making the decision to reunite with your birth parents. You may become distressed if you find out they are dead, or that they are still alive but don't want you to contact them. If you decide to proceed, gather your patience. You will probably try several different avenues before you meet with success. If your birth parents do not want you to contact them, state law may prevent you from obtaining information.
Step 1
Obtain as much information as you can from your adoptive parents regarding your birth parents. Your request should include their names and former addresses, as well as the name of the hospital you were born in and the name of the adoption agency they used. They may not have access to all of this information.
Step 2
Join an adoption reunion registry such as GenealogyBank.com. The Administration for Children and Families reports that many states have also established such registries. If the state of your birth maintains an official adoption registry, you should join this one too. Since this approach will only work if your biological parents have joined the registry, join as many such registries as you can find.
Step 3
Apply for a copy of your birth certificate from the Department of Vital Records of the state in which you were born. This birth certificate will probably be amended to remove identifying information about your biological parents, according to the Adoptees Birthrights Committee. Nevertheless, it may contain important clues, such as the name of the hospital you were born in.
Step 4
Petition the hospital you were born in and the adoption agency that handled your case for unedited versions of all files pertaining to you. Remember, however, that state law may prevent them from fully complying with your request.
Step 5
Perform a "skip trace" on one or both of your biological parents. For this, you will need at least one name and one former address. A successful skip trace will give you a current address for the person you requested. Private detectives often perform skip traces.
Step 6
Petition the appropriate state court demanding unedited copies of your adoption records, your original birth certificate and the medical records collected by the hospital when you were born. If your petition is granted, you will be entitled to this information when you produce a certified copy of the court order. If your adoption agency is not located in the state of your birth, you may need to file petitions in two different courts.
Tips and Warnings
- Some states have special procedures for adoptees seeking to contact their birth parents. An inquiry may be conducted to determine if they are still alive. If they are still alive, they may dispatch an intermediary to contact them seeking permission to release their identities.
