in search of birth family rochester ny

August 25, 2004

Here are a few things you should definetly do to get started with your search:

First of all, register with the NYS Dept. of Health Adoption Registry. It's free, and it's a great place to start. Here's their website:

[url]http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vr/forms/registry.htm[/url]

All you have to do is fill out some paperwork! If you request identifying information (which is info. that would include names, addresses, etc. of your biological mother & possibly biological father) then the NYS Health Dept. will reopen your case. This means that if a member of your biological family also registers, you will BOTH be notified and given the option of contacting eachother. You will also recieve your non-identifying information from the registry as well. It's a GREAT resource. Many adoptee's are reunited through the registry. You can also register with ISRR, which is an international registry, and it's free, too. Here's their website:

[url]http://www.isrr.net/[/url]

Next, contact the adoption agency that placed you and request your non-identifying information from them. This usually requires a notarized letter of request. (You can have things notarized at almost any bank!) Also, ask to speak to a social worker at the agency and have a list of questions ready - sometimes things can "slip out" during conversation, and those may be really helpful hints for you! I'll send you a private message with a good list of questions to ask. If you know which hospital you were born at, contact their records deptartment and request non-identifying information from them as well. This also requires a notarized letter. Typically the hospital will send you the records which were kept from your birth up until you were discharged to a social worker or intermediary and placed with your adoptive family. Sometimes they forget to remove important pieces of identifying information (like a last name, a social security number or a fingerprint!) so that can also be helpful. It's also very interesting to have!!

Those are some good ideas to start with - hopefully that helps! You can also petition the court to release your records...that is usually very time consuming and difficult, but it's another option for you. Good luck!

Nicole