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I am currently attempting to pull together all the information I can about my own adoption. My adoptive parents have always been extremely open about my adoption and it wasn't until recently, upon receiving my original birth certificate from the state, that I decided I also wanted to open my adoption records through the agency.
Currently in my search, I have located my birthmother and made contact - My pastor called first to warn her that I would be attempting contact through a letter and then I sent a letter, which we confirmed receipt of through a phone call made by my husband. I am still waiting for her response and attempting to be patient, but I'm finding that harder than expected. I've spent the waiting seeking additional information, this led me to the adoption files. I made contact with the agency and was surprised by the fee for nonidentifying information. The agency will provide nonidentifying medical information for free and after several phone calls has also agreed to check the file for a summary regarding why I was placed for adoption and if there is was any further contact (a letter) from my birthmother after the adoption. If these items exist, I would need to pay $250 for the information? Is this normal? All other states that I've researched include a $20 - $50 fee for locating and copying nonidentifying information. The $250 does not include copies of the records, but instead would be a prepared summary by someone else assuming what I felt to be important or necessary information pertaining to the file. Overall, for summaries of nonidentifying and a search (which was explained basically as a web search)the agency charges adoptees $750 - my adoption was $1400 in 1981. I'm tired of being taken advantage of because I want information about ME.
What experiences have others had with the process?
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