Before I get much further into searching for a biological parent or searching for a biological child, it’s important to understand how the adoption process works and how it is recorded.
It’s important to start any search with a basic knowledge of how you came to be where you are today. It’s also important to understand words and terminology used by the many individuals that you will be requesting help from during your search. Several weeks ago, I wrote a helpful blog with glossary terms that are exactly these terms I am speaking of.
Typically an agency or independent adoption follow the six steps that I have provided. If it seems that perhaps your adoption did not follow these six steps, it is possible the adoption could have been a black market adoption, although there are several other reasons it could happen too. I recommend contacting your State Adoption Department at that point and they should be able to assist you further.
Here are the six typical steps:
Pregnancy – Usually this is where the record keeping begins. Typically records of the birth and prospective adoptive parents are kept by the lawyer or social agency involved in the adoption. Often a birth mother is not aware at this time that she might relinquish her baby, so the records might not begin at this step.
Birth – Usually the birth of an adoptive child takes place in a hospital or a home for unwed mothers, although not always. These institutions are required to keep these records. The records are typically the admittance records, medical and delivery records that often contain important information such as family members, medical conditions and other information and possibly a birth certificate bearing the birth mother or parents names.
Relinquishment – The next step is when the biological mother signs the relinquishment papers. They are at this point surrendering their legal rights and responsibilities. These papers typically contain names and other identifying information that would be helpful.
Placement – This is all dependent on where and how the adoption occurred. When it is an agency adoption, they usually review and screen approved applicants and they choose a suitable match. Agencies are required to keep in depth and complete files on both the adoptive parents and the biological parents, often some identifying information is left out. In a private adoption often the birth mother has already met the adoptive parents, or at least has knowledge of a name.
Petitioning – This is the end step before the adoption is final. This is when the adoptive parents formally request custody of the adoptee through the states court of jurisdiction. These records are typically sealed, though not in all states. These would contain very useful information to either party searching.
Finalization – The absolute final step. The court will hand down a final decree granting the adoptive parents full and legal custody of the adoptee. At this time, an amended birth certificate is issued and the original birth certificate is sealed in with the other court records.