Sealed File in Washington DC

I am also going to be writing a letter to my family court requesting any information about my adoption file. I am trrying to find help in writing this letter as I want to be able to gain any information I could get. I will not be hiring a lawyer as it would probably be expensive and am looking for any advice a well on how to word the letter

Hi Conboy, A lawyer is not needed and would just be a waste of money. For DC adoptions, the law is very specific that even if YOU petition the court yourself, the courts are still required to hand the search / contact to a lic. intermediary - the adoption agency if still in business. Were you a Catholic Charities adoption? The process will not take 2 yrs. The court responds fairly quickly, the delay is usually in the process the agency takes finding your b mother and waiting for her to respond to their attempts to contact. Free local important registry = Metropolitan Reunion Registry: [url=http://www.metroreunionregistry.org/]Metro Reunion Registry[/url] see their links for sample petitions [url=http://adopteebirthparentsupportnetwork.org/Motion_Instr.html]MOTION_AD[/url] ADOPTIONS FINALIZED IN WASHINGTON, DC Adoptees, birthparents and birthfamily members may initiate a search by filing a petition (called a Motion to Break Seal) with the court that handled their adoption. You can prepare and file petition with the court. It is not necessary to hire an attorney to prepare and file the petition. Click the button below for more information. PLEASE NOTE If the court approves the petition, it will then direct the agency that handled the adoption to conduct the search. The charge for the search may be as high as $450-500.00. :wings:

Hi 1956CheverlyAdoptee Thank you for your reply and links. I have contacted Catholic Charities and they can not find my records. They have been very helpful providing information and are contacting the court to find the adoption agency. I provided Catholic Charities the court Interlocutory Decree of Adoption # I will be petitioning the court to break the seal. I have been very lucky having wonderful adopted parents. I would like to get my medical background and tell my birthmother- Thank you for your decision for having me and if she is wondering I am fine and have a wonderful life and have wonderful parents.

Lawyers are not necessary when filing the petition. I did it myself and paid the 80.00 fee to the courts. It was approved and sent over to CC to send but they refused to assist me.

DC reunion law is very clear. Once the courts grant the petition to break the seal THEN it MUST be handed over to the adoption agency to handle the search, make contact and get authorization from the birth parent to share their contact information with you. Unfortunately, you DO have to pay their Licensed Intermediary to do this for you. ADOPTIONS FINALIZED IN WASHINGTON, DC Adoptees, birthparents and birthfamily members may initiate a search by filing a petition (called a Motion to Break Seal) with the court that handled their adoption. You can prepare and file petition with the court. It is not necessary to hire an attorney to prepare and file the petition. Click the button below for more information. PLEASE NOTE If the court approves the petition, it will then direct the agency that handled the adoption to conduct the search. The charge for the search may be as high as $450-500.00.

Be sure to register with DC's Metro Reunion Registry. It is free but donations are welcomed. :wings: [url=http://www.metroreunionregistry.org/]Metro Reunion Registry[/url]