District of Columbia Searching Resources

Colleen, The agency that initially handled the adoption was Pierce Warwick, now closed. Do I contact the address posted? I'm going to DC next week and want to take some kind of action. I have information from his pediatrician that the final adoption was maybe in MD. Petitioning the courts to open---what is due cause in DC? What will I get if I contact the agency in person when I go there? Would it be an exercise in futility. I mean would I get an adopted name or ANYTHING? Robin

WELCOME TO THE SEARCH AND REUNION MESSAGE BOARD! If there is a possibility that the adoption was finalized in Maryland you can use these resources below: NOTE: The State of Maryland has a Confidential IntermediaryӔ search program that will locate and contact birth relatives. See information below: Confidential Intermediary Program: Adopted adults age 21 or older and birth parents of an adopted adult age 21 or older may apply to the Director of the Social Services Administration to use the State's search, contact, and reunion services. Maryland Department of Human Resources Social Services Administration 311 W. Saratoga Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-7506 Fax: (410) 330-0127 Using the State of Maryland Adoption Registry: Adopted adults age 21 or older, birth parents, and birth siblings age 21 or older may register. Contact: Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry Maryland Department of Human Resources Social Services Administration 311 West Saratoga Street Baltimore, MD 21201-3521 (410) 767-7372 or (410) 767-7423 Requesting Non-Identifying Information: Adopted adults or birth parents if it is the placing agency's policy. Adopted adults may petition the court to view their medical and family history. Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized, receive if the adoption was finalized after July 1, 1947, and before January 1, 2000. For adoptions finalized after January 1, 2000, adopted adults age 21 or older can receive their original birth certificate and report of the decree or judgment of adoption. If the birth parents have filed a disclosure veto, all identifying information will be deleted. Birth parents of an adopted adult age 21 or older can receive a copy of the altered birth certificate and report of the decree or judgment of adoption. If the adopted adult has filed a disclosure veto, all identifying information will be deleted. For adoptions finalized before July 1, 1947, an adopted adult may receive the original birth certificate. Email: Other great websites to check out: [url]http://www.adoptionchat.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoptionlists.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoption.com[/url] [url]http://www.adopting.org[/url] [url]http://registry.adoption.com/[/url]

A couple questions: 1) I received non-identifying information from Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of Washington), which was primarily a brief bio of my birthmother likely put together from several pre-adoption interviews. Great info to have, but zero medical. I would like to have access to more if possible, with re-union with her as a potential. What constitutes "good cause" in the District for unsealing adoption records? 2) I was adopted at birth (so I'm told). Are there any indicators on my "current" birth certificate which might point to there being an "original" which pre-dates it? Thanks for any help. John O.