How to find info on birth-parents?

Question

My fiance was adopted and we would both like to find some info on his birthparents. It is very important to us that we find out at least things like his medical history & such before we become parents. Shouldn't there be an easier way? I mean wouldn't they at least have that on record so he could know for situations like this?

Answer 1

As someone adopted, I have to tell you it will be hard if it was a closed adoption. This means all my information from my birth until my parents got me is pretty much kept secret. I know it sounds bad, but that's because it is. The hospital I was born at told me they have no record of me being born. This is mainly because I was born with a different name, and I don't know what name my birthmother may have given me or what her last name was. If they search under the name I have now, it won't be found. I have very little information on my birthparents. It makes me angry and sad at the same time that they took this crucial information away from me. The first thing you probably want to do is find out if they have a state adoption registry where you live and put his name on it. The next thing is to go to the adoption agency and apply to get all non-identifying information they can give you on the birthfamily. Mine was okay, but not compared to others. It will tel you basically height, ages, weight, talents, siblings or the birthparents and a little more if they have it. They will even tell you if the family has been looking for him. If it's been a month and you have no match on the registry and the non-identifying info is not good, I'd look into getting a seach angel. Search angels are people that help those involved in adoption find the family member. They are free of charge. Many of them are involved in adoption themselves and some are not. I am still searching for any bit of information to lead me to anyone in my past. Well, I hope all of this helps. I wish you luck. I know how tough it can be. I just pray that I can have my own family like lots of kids one day to make up for the hereditary part of me that I lost through adoption. Very few states allow adopted children their records once they turn 18. People are still fighting to give the rest of us that right. I continue to pray for it. I wish your fiancee all the best. Tell him not to give up. It may seem difficult at times but not impossible.

PS
If it was a closed adoption, do not expect to get any names.

Ayawi makes a good point about medical records being on file. However, an adoption made over 20 years ago they may not have required that the birthparents report any medical illnesses that would occur after the adoption. And even though medical records may be listed in the file during the adoption, you cannot always be positive it is accurate. The information the birthparents give the social workers is based on faith for the most part. My birthmother said there was not known illnesses in her family at all,but I am beginning to have some minor health related problems that are more likely hereditary my doctor has mentioned. I'm not sayin that the birthparents lie, but it may not have crossed their mind to mention it to the case workers. The best way to find out family medical history is to know the family. Just don't give up.

Answer 2

What he needs to do is send a letter to the adoption agency and ask for his non-identifying information as well as anything that can be released from the file. That is a place to start. If he was adopted through Social Services, then I think he has to apply to the court to remove the seal. The County Clerk where he was adopted would likely have information about how to go about this without an attorney.

Some states don't release any info at all. Your fiance can list himself on several adoption sites including all his information but especially his birth date and where he was adopted from. If birthmother is actively looking, the search will be short. If not, well, it will be longer.

Finally, don't avoid becoming parents because you don't know the medical history. If your fiance is already 25 and has shown no history of mental disorder (which frankly is the worst case scenario), then anything else is pretty random. You may never find his birthparents. Are you going to then not have children?

Answer 3

Each state has different laws regarding access to adoption records. Here is a link that will tell you each law and what steps you should take to initiate a search.
http://laws.adoption.com/statutes/state-adoption-laws.html
All states allow you to have non-identification information.

There are a few "open" states. These states allow you access to your original birth certificate upon request. Those states are KS, AK, OR, AL, NH.

Some states are easier to search than others, CA, TX, KY, NC & OH. These states have birth indexes either online or search angels have access to them.

I recommend first checking your states laws to deterine what info is available to you. Then join any adoption registry that is run by the states as well as any state specific sites. Also register the info with as many online sites as you can locate. A couple of really good ones are
registry.adoption.com
& G's adoption search.

When requesting the info from the file, request that a consent for contact notice be put in the file in the chance that someone tries to locate as well.

Good luck, I can give more specific info by knowing what state the adoption was finalized in.

The non-id will tell should tell you of any known medical problems at the time but it is rare that these are updated. A lot can happen in 25 years.

Answer 4

Well, finding his parents may be difficult if it was a closed adoption, however finding his family medical history should be a little easier.
Most states require the birth parents to provide medical histories to the state health department. These records should include record of any major illness, disease, and even if the families have a tendency to be overweight. They are very thorough.
They are available to the adoptive parents, or adult child upon request.
Good luck!

Answer 5

If his adoptive parents can't or won't give up the info,try contacting the agency he was adopted through. I'm a birth mother myself and each time over the years that I have moved or changed my phone #,the agency is supposed to be notified. That way in the event that my son would want to get in contact with me,they would arrange it. What state are you in?

Answer 6

First of all, I am offended by the Florida comment! Some mother's may hide but not all of them. Every mother has her own reasons for giving a child up for adoption. I feel that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life--even to this day 23 years later. We chose life for our child, hopefully a wonderful life! My daughter found me about a year ago. She knew my name, but was unable to locate me. She went to the court house and filed for a release of documents associated with her adoption. Thanks to myspace, she found me! The search angels are good from what I hear. Try to find out as much as you can about the birth. Search by date, sex, weight at the hospital--not his name. You could check hospital admissions/discharges that are sometimes printed in the local paper (archives) Good Luck!

Answer 7

Try the agency he was adopted at, they usually give info on names or phone numbers or addresses, and if your adopting a child try and find the birth parents name so if the child is older and wants to know their real parents they at least have some form of contact.

Answer 8

talk to his parents first, if you can. They can give you info, like what agency they used, what day the adoption was finalized, and how old he was when adopted. If they can't/won't help, contact your state adoption board, they can help you find legal records of the adoption. Good luck!

Answer 9

like another solutions reported - we want area & the persons present day age to determine this out. regulations are substantially different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. My brother's adoption documents are sealed & can in simple terms be accessed via him IF he effectively petitions probate for an order to launch his documents. i will't do something yet sign up with the state reunion registry. with out age/area i will't show you how to already know in case you will get the non-figuring out information. In my case, as a sibling, i advance into allowed to request it yet you had to be over age 25 to achieve this. you could no longer in simple terms lie the two - I had to deliver a image identity alongside with my request. My adventure advance into that an adoptee decrease than 21 needed written consent of the adoptive mom and dad and/or advance into required to attend counseling sessions first. some places, like Oregon, are open checklist states.

Answer 10

I really wouldn't know but i wish you all the luck you can get into trying to find out about your parents I think yu would have to do searches and hire someone that works in that profession like a lawyer; I know im no hlep sorry.