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This is a question for adoptees & birthparents in reunion: Has anyone petitioned Ohio probate after reunion to have their file opened? Just wondering how it went, how long it took, was the info you received worthwhile, etc.
Once again, this is a question for people in reunion, this is NOT a question about obtaining information in order to begin a search.
Thank you.
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Just wanted to post an update to this question because I now have the answer! I have just today received my ORIGINAL birth certificate from the probate court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio! If you are in reunion with your birth mom, here's what you do:
1. Ask your birth mom to fill out and sign the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics Adoption Authorization for Release. It does not need to be notarized and she does not have to provide copies of anything. She just has to fill out and sign the form.
2. You fill out the Petition for Release of Identifying Information. (Both forms can be found on the Cuyahoga County Probate website).
3. Mail both forms together along with a money order for $50 to Cuyahoga County Probate court. I mailed mine along with a letter of explanation just to be safe.
I mailed mine on 8/22 and received my original birth certificate on 10/6.
The instructions for the form in step 1 above will say to mail it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Columbus, but that's because it's intended for a birth mother who is just giving her release without knowing whether or not her child will ever seek the records. If you send them both together to Probate you will get a quicker response.
I hope this helps someone else in Ohio! Good luck to everyone!
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:thanks:
Thank-you for sharing your positive experience with petitioning the Ohio probate court! I am not in reunion yet, but still searching for my birthfamily. I've only heard disappointing reports of those who attempt to make contact through the Ohio registry and your post has given me a glimmer of hope.
According to the non-ID that I received from the adoption agency this past July, a birth brother (not sure if full or half brother) contacted the agency in 1997 and requested information about me and a form to fill out for the registry. They recommended that I file a petition as a release may be on file. I sent in my petition this past week. Now the waiting begins... :coffee:
Hugs,
Julie Christine
AN: Julie Christine Gingerich
DOB: 10/09/1971
POB: Columbus, Ohio
ISO: Birth Mother/ Birth Family