Resources for Search Assistance

Confidential Intermediary Search Programs are available in some states. This service is provided by the state where your adoption was finalized. The service will have access to the sealed adoption file with all the identifying information and will search for and contact the person you are looking for. Generally the foundӔ person has the right to decline contact. If this happens you will not be given any contact information and the search will be over. Most states charge a reasonable fee for this service. You will not be given a refund if the person you are looking for declines contact. Search Angels are volunteers and do not charge for helping you with your search. You can find Search Angels by state/region. The most widely known and recommended search angel organization is: http://www.vsn.org/. Once you have information from the search angel source there are several factors to consider before contacting the person that might be your biological relative. Talk to several search angels before making a decision which one to use for your search. Ask the search angel to match up information in your non-identifying information to the person that they have located. Sometimes the non-identifying information can be similar for many people with a common, similar or identical name. ׷ Make sure that you and the search angel have discussed and are in agreement about your contact preferences when your birth family relative is located. If you want to make the initial contact yourself make sure this is fully understood before the search starts. Also, if you do not want other members of the birth family notified that you are searching for their relative (in-lieu of actually finding the birth parent or adoptee) be sure to inform your search angel not to contact extended family relatives. Many possible reunions have been derailed because the birth mother heard from a relative (who did not know about the relinquishment and adoption) that you were looking for her. Always be respectful of the privacy of the person that you are trying to locate. Contacting relatives is not respectful of a birth parent or adoptees privacy. Professional searchers vary from large multi-staffed offices to small, one-person services. If you decide to use a professional searcher there are several important considerations that you should discuss with the searcher BEFORE making the decision to hire them to conduct your search. Interview several firms before making a decision as to which firm best meets your needs. ҷ Fees: 1. Request that the search company inform you of the total cost of the search in the form of a contract before you start the search. An open-ended estimate or quote does tell you how much the search will cost in total when completed. 2. Inquire if the searcher has a no find/no feeӔ policy in the form of a mutually signed contract. 3. It is recommended that you do not use a firm that requires that you pay for the search before the search is completed. References: 1. Ask for references and actually contact references before committing yourself to hire the professional searcher. 2. Check on the Internet for any דword of mouth experiences that might influence your decision to use any firm. Է Information 1. Ask what type of information the professional searcher is going to give you as confirmation that the search is completed. A listӔ of people the age of your birthparent with the same name or similar name could have 50-100 people on the list and should not be considered a findӔ. You will have no idea if your biological relative is on the list. Some of these lists originate from databases that may not even have current addresses or phone numbers. 2. Minimum information that should be provided is the current name and current address of the person you are seeking. Most professionals can verify the actual residence address by confirming that they are receiving mail at that address and that the utilities at that address are in their name. 3. Ask the search company to match up physical description information in your non-identifying report, including eye color and height if needed, to the person that they have located. Normally weight and hair color will change over the years. Family information if possible should also be confirmed. Contact rules: 1. If you do not want the searcher to make the initial contact as an intermediary you should state your preferences in writing. 2. Also, if you do not want other members of the birth family contacted you should be sure to inform your search professional not to contact extended family relatives. Many possible reunions have been derailed because the birth mother heard from a relative (who did not know about the relinquishment and adoption) that you were looking for her. Always be respectful of the privacy of the person that you are trying to locate. Contacting relatives is not respectful of a birth parent or adopteeגs privacy. California Website: Other great websites to check out: [url]http://www.adoptionchat.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoption.com[/url] [url]http://www.adopting.org[/url] [url]http://registry.adoption.com/[/url]