As many as 10 million people in the U.S. are adopted, according to Adoption.com. An adoptee realizes that for one reason or another it was determined to be in her "best interest" for someone other than her birth parents to raise her. At some point, an adoptee may desire to reunite with her biological family. A number of steps can help an adoptee locate her birth parents, siblings and other relatives.
Step 1
Understand the reasons behind your decision to search for your biological family. Realize that the process may be very emotional and even frustrating at times. Be prepared for the fact that your pursuit may result in immediate contact, but you should also come to terms with the fact that your efforts may take several years or ultimately prove futile.
Step 2
Focus your search on information that you believe to be true. In some cases, efforts to locate a biological family will turn up confusing data, such as learning your adoption took place on the black market. For the time being, stick to fundamental facts, such as your birth date, birth location and the year the adoption took place. Ask your adoptive parents and anyone else who may know about the circumstances under which your adoption occurred.
Step 3
Start your search with the state where the adoption was finalized rather than the state you were born in, if they differ. Petitioning the court (usually family court) to open your records is a step that Adoption.com says every adoptee should try. Even states with very restrictive adoption laws will defer to a court order. However, the possibility exists that a judge will deny your petition.
Step 4
Realize that adoption laws vary among states and even county to county in certain locales. For example, the age at which an adoptee can have access to information about his case and precisely which records are available for review can differ.
Step 5
Register your case with the International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR). An adoptee must be at least 18 years old to sign up. Birth parents, siblings and other biological relatives can also register with this nonprofit mutual consent reunion registry. Once your information is entered into the ISRR database, it will search for a match. If a match is found, ISRR notifies both parties.
Tips and Warnings
- Contact information for ISRR: ISRR P.O. Box 371179 Las Vegas, NV 89137 (775) 882-7755 or (888) 886-ISRR isrr.net
