Has anyone Requested Info from the state?

Okay, sent my 3rd letter in March 2005 and received my request for the $150.00 eligibility fee today (January 2006). I will send it in overnight tomorrow. I will keep you posted as to the rest of my journey!!!

I viewed my records in July 2005 and paid $135.00 for the search. I just received a letter yesterday stating the search is being initiated for birth relatives that I requested. It says they must complete the search, they must notify each individual of my desire for contact, and be given 90 days to file their decision. It says I will be advised in writing of the outcome of each search. I'm getting excited, but also afraid of what the outcomes will be. Hang in there ;)

Hello Jen... Did you have to go to Nashville to view your records or did they send them to you. If you don't mind me asking, what did those records pertain?

I didn't have to go to Nashville but I did. I only live about 30 minutes away so I decided I would go and view them there, that way if I had any questions they would be answered while I was there. I did get copies of everything that was in my file to bring home with me. The files included:Correspondence between the Dept of Public Welfare, Welfare Workers, Crittenton Home case workers, and Adoption Services and my adoptive parents. The case worker's social profile of my birthmother with interviews and her personal/professional opinions about the case. Information about my foster parents and selection of my adoptive parents and their meetings.My birth history and medical record sheets. Adoptive placement agreements and all court decrees and petitions. The signed surrender order. The application for amended birth certificate. (lots of legal jargon) I have to say that by far the most revealing and interesting papers are the narratives and pre-placement summary by the case worker. She wrote very detailed information on her interviews with my birthmother, my foster mother, and my adoptive parents. I came away with a newfound respect for my adoptive parents after reading them, (not that I didn't already) and lots of info on my birthmother's whole family. I think the one thing that blew me away the most was seeing the name that my birthmother gave me on the papers. I didn't cry that day, but I couldn't stop shaking after reading it all. I thought I was going to have a stroke.The lady at Children's Services was nice and she answered my questions without hesitation, but she didn't offer any unsolicited advice either. They really drill the "no contact" issue in you and make you sign more papers saying you understand that you could go to jail if you do. The funny thing is, I started looking on the internet for my birthmother and within a week I found out where she is. (they didn't say you couldn't "search") I have not attempted to contact her but it has tried my patience that's for sure. Hope this helps. If I can help with anything else, just ask.Jennie:flower:

Thanks Jen for all of your information. I received my sworn affidavit in the mail today. I did not have to wait very long from paying the $150.00 to now. So let's hope the records go as quickly. Thanks again for your info.

That's great Jan! Make sure you send it in soon. The quicker they receive it, the quicker you'll get to view your files.Unfortunately, I received a letter from them last Saturday stating my birthmother is deceased. She died just last year, during my search. I'm still hoping for contact with other family members,though.I know the waiting is tough, hang in thereJennie

That's great Jan! Make sure you send it in soon. The quicker they receive it, the quicker you get to view your files. Unfortunately, I received a letter last Saturday stating my birthmother is deceased. She died just last year, during my search. I'm still hoping for contact with other family members, though. I know waiting is tough, hang in there. Jennie

Well Jen; that is very unfortunate news. I am sorry but my prayers are with you that you come to know your other family. God Bless you!!! Keep me posted.

Thanks Jan, I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, you keep me posted on your progress,too. Jennie

I just received another letter from the state (Jan. 10) requesting money for copies of adoption records. It should not be too long now. Just wanted to keep you all posted. It seems like it has taken forever. But the state has responded rather quickly here in the last few months. :clap:

Yes, it seems the state has either hired more people in this department or maybe the rush has died down some. I'm glad it is moving along quicker for you now. Jennie

Well, what I have long awaited has finally become a reality. I received my paperwork from the state today. I feel like a piece of me has been completed. Now, it is time for the state to contact them and maybe there could be a reunion in store. WOW, overwhelmed and shocked all at the same time. Will let you all know any further developments.

CONGRATULATIONS! :clap: That is great news, Jan! I know you will be reading those papers again and again for awhile just so it can sink in. Of course, there is more waiting now, but at least you have something to keep you occupied. I hope that you wrote down every possible person that you wanted contact with on your search application. I had accidentally left off my birth aunts and uncle, so I'm going through some extra red tape right now. Even though I've already made contact with my aunt, we can't let the state know it until her paperwork is done. Just so you know, they will ask each person that they contact to send in $25 with their application for Contact Veto Registry which I was unaware of. I don't think that it is right for us to pay $135 and then ask our family members who may not even know about us to pay another $25 each. I feel that could potientially result in a negative response from a family member. Happy reading....Jennie :)

I'm trying to help a friend find find his sister's daughter that was born May 1962 in Nashville TN in the Florence Crittenton Home. She named her Lora Lee. His sister has passed away and he found a letter she had written to her daughter. He is wanting to find her so he can deliver the letter to her. Does anyone know any any way to get info from this place or how to go about this?

I don't know if anyone is still reading this. I just wanted to put my experience on here. It did seem to take a while. We were waived of the fee. I think that if we can be waived of it, birth relatives should be as well. In my case though, I got pitifully little. I was born in 1984.. adoption finalized in 1986 through an agency. There was NOTHING in there about my foster parents, their names etc. There was no interviews or opinions or social workers notes about my biological mother or father prior to my birth. There was almost NOTHING written before I was adopted. I did receive those letters from the state with the seal that gave me access to agency records, hospital records etc. I did not even have the hospital records in the record. I am realizing this is not normal and just not sure if I was not sent everything. Do you all think it would be better if I went to Nashville to view them?

Is it normal for none of that stuff to be in there?

I contacted the agency to get those records. They said to contact an Adoption Unit in Johnson City and that they do not have anything and they send everything to Nashville upon my adoption. However, the state of tennessee TOLD me and suggested to contact the agency and present the letter to get additional records and information.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?