How do I find adoption records from Bogota, Colombia orphanages in 1980?

Question

I was adopted in 1980 from Bogota, Colombia. I know that the orphanage had something like "Sacred Heart" in its title and I know the name I was given before it was changed by my parents. I need to find out about my birth parents.

Answer 1

Before you got on the plane to come to the US there would have been a naturalization ceremony held at either a US embassy or consulate. If you can't find the records on your own, I guarantee that if you contact the place where you became a US citizen they will have all of the records of your adoption and the details of the agency handling the adoption, the orphange where you lived and about your birth family.

This site might help you find the right office to locate your records and help you focus your search.
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html

Answer 2

Orphanages In Colombia

Answer 3

If your parents used an adoption agency, the records of that agency should be available to you. Most states require that adoption agencies keep very complete records on their adoptions forever. If an agency goes out of business they are responsible to transfer the files to either the state or another adoption agency. While this does not always happen, it is a good place to start. Contact the local Department of Children and Family Services (or equivalent) in the state where the adoption agency was headquartered. They can tell you what their laws are on record retention and if the adoption agency is still in business.

Even if the agency your family used is out of business, it is very possible that many of the people who were involved with the agency are still doing adoption work. If you have any of the paperwork from your adoption that is a good starting point. Your parents should have a copy of their home study. That will show the name of the agency that performed the study, as well as the name of the social worker who visited their home. If that social worker is still in practice he or she can be contacted through the state licensing board.

While I am not directly familiar with Columbian adoption requlations, many countries have a central authority with responsibility for adoption. Our Embassy in Columbia should be able to help you determine the correct department in the Columbian goverment.

Your parents paperwork went through the National Visa Center which may have retained a copy of much of the documentation for your adoption. I have provided a link to their address below.

If your parents adopted you inedependently of an adoption agency in the US, they probably used an attorney in Colubia to act as an adoption facilitator. Most adoption attorneys, even those in other countries, maintain records of the adoption. The facilitator your parents used will probably remember the orphanage.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Dave Ptasnik,
Director,
Americans Adopting Orphans.

Answer 4

Please address your questions to:

Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar ICBF
Grupo de Adopciones
Avenida 68 No. 64 – 01
Bogotá, D.C. – Colombia
Phone: [phone] Ext. 3157
Fax: [phone] Ext. 3162


You can also contact the organization or foundation from where you were adopted.

Your written request of information, in Spanish if possible, should include the following information:

Your current name and address.
Name of the adopting parents
City, and Date of the legal Sentence for your adoption
If applicable, the name of the agency from where you were adopted
Your name before being adopted
Name of your mother and/or biological parents, if they appear in the documentation for the adoption.
Good luck!: Buena suerte!

Answer 5

I see a list of orphanages on this page, but not quite with the name you mention...
http://www.myadoptionlinks.com/Colombia.html

but notice at the top, the comment about a page that works with finding relatives for Columbian adoptees... right up your alley, it looks like.
Also.. many names and phone numbers here. People to contact if the answer is not immediately here

follow up.. the link does not work... try this one
http://www.colombiatupais.com/

Answer 6

u could look in the hall of records or use the netto look it up...