STEP THREE: Apply for a clean copy of your birth certificate. Even if you have one, it's a good idea to apply for a fresh copy solely for your 'search' file. The birth certificate you receive will in all likelihood be your 'amended' birth certificate. That means that certain information on the birth certificate will be altered from the original. Your adoptive parents names will appear as your mother and father, and other information may have been changed. Usually, but certainly not always, the place of birth is accurate. This copy of your certificate may also include the name of the doctor who delivered you, and other important clues that will be discussed later.

Online, if your search is in the U.S., you can check out where to write for vital records. Family Tree Maker also offers a listing of all US vital records adress, policies, and prices, indexed by state. If your search is in another country, try this excellent page of genealogical resources, maintained by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Rochester. There, you can find where to write for records in over a dozen countries, including Canada, Austrailia, Poland, Germany, and the Russian republics. The Vital Records Information site also offers a page of links to foreign countries vital records information. Also, I have posted a document written by Harold Wilkins and Duke Henry for UK and Irish adoptees that discusses where to write for your records. Records in these locales are generally open to adult adoptees.

STEP FOUR: Register with International Soundex Reunion Registry. The largest reunion registry in the world is free, but donations are STRONGLY encouraged. This is a passive registry, which means that no one will use the information you give them to actively search for the other person(s), but if the other party has registered also, information about you will be given to them, and vice versa. ISRR uses a database to make computer matches based on similar or matching information.

International Soundex Reunion Registry
P.O. Box 2312
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 882-7755
(Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a registration form)

Canadians should *also* register with Parent Finders

Parent Finders of Canada, National HQ
Mrs. Joan Vanstone, National Director
3998 Bayridge Avenue
W. Vancouver, BC V7V 3J5
tel: (604) 926-1096
fax: (604) 926-2037

You might be asking at this point, What about ALMA? Whether you join ALMA or any other organization that charges money for search information and a registry is completely up to you. ALMA is fairly well-known, and thus, it's pssible that your birthrelatives are registered. However, it is my personal opinion that ALMA, and most other paid registries and search services are not worth the money that they charge.

STEP FIVE: Find a local search and support group and join. To find one, look through your local yellow pages, browse the bulletin boards at your library, post a note to alt.adoption, and read the list of local search and support groups contained within the alt.adoption FAQ's. A search and support group can be valuable for a number of reasons. First off, if you can attend a search and support group in the area of your search, you will be in contact with people who may have unique insight or knowledge of 'tricks' particular to your state or area of search, but even if you attend a group outside of your search area, you will be forming contacts with searchers in many different phases of search. You can learn from their mistakes, thus making your own search easier. In addition, sometimes it is helpful to connect with others who are going through this unique experience. At times, you might feel alone, even if your family is supportive, it is difficult for those who are not adopted, or who are not searching or interested in searching,to fully understand. Along these same lines, you might consider joining an online mailing list. The Adoptee's Internet mailing list is dedicated to search and reunion.

STEP SIX: Go to the library!! There are a number of excellent search handbooks that can prepare you for the road ahead. Again, read through these books thoroughly, take notes, but resist the temptation to get ahead of yourself until you have finished the information gathering phase. In addition to search books, there are several books on being adopted, on reunions, and about and by birthmothers.

Continue to next section, Adoption Documents

This post was authored by Shea Grimm except where otherwise indicated. It may be copied and distributed freely, in whole or part, as long as it is not sold, and as long as this notice is kept intact.