What are You Looking for in an Adoption Search?

thinking out loud again...

what are most folks looking forward when they decide to do an adoption search? Medical information? Birthparents? Siblings? Half-siblings? Other relatives? Winnie the Pooh?

ha

Okay, maybe not so much Winnie...but I wonder what most are looking for when they set out to search for information on their adoption.

....perhaps it is just the quest for the unknown?

Another question on California adoptions....

thought of another question about California adoptions back in the late 60s?

if the plan was to give the baby for adoption going into the birth....did the mother get to find out the sex of the baby?

....not that anyone is looking for me...but I wonder if they even know if I am a boy or a girl.

ha

dumb question... i know. :)

Adoption Reunions...or adoption introductions?

re·un·ion (r-ynyn)
n.
1.
a. The act of reuniting.
b. The state of being reunited.
2. A gathering of the members of a group who have been separated: a high school reunion.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Wondering out loud this morning about adoption reunions...I've looked around at different adoption registry sites and they say things like "adoption reunion registry", "adoption reunion resources", "adoption reunion links", and "adoption reunion database." There's even an entry in Wikipedia.

Is it really a reunion? I wonder...

What was the routine in the late 60s in California for women giving up a child for adoption at birth? Did they see them? Did they stay for a day or two with the newborn or immediately separated? Or are we talking 'reunion' from the basest sense as in separation with the womb?

I don't know "when" I was given up for adoption...probably right away I'd guess, but don't know. I wasn't adopted until after my first birthday and by then I suppose my 'parent' was the state of California.

I wonder what they put on your birth certificate for that period between being given up for adoption and being adopted. I mean...you still exist...so you have a birth certificate right? Or are you just a little undocumented alien?

getting sidetracked....

back to wondering about the SOP in California in the late 60s... guess I'll bop around on the internet and see if I see any other adoption stories that mention how adoptions were handled...

......just curious. :)

Success in my adoption quest...sorta....

Ahhhh... okay, with as many emails as I send, you'd think I could successfully reply and hit send.

Three failure notices later.....

I finally acheived success!!!!!!! yeah!

Well, I kinda sorta maybe acheived success, in that my adoption questionnaire was actually received by the group. :)

I still need to get my birth certificate. You know...I hadn't even thought about needing a copy of it. duh.

I've just always used my passport since we had to get that just after we got married....so I've had no need for it for the last twenty years.... silly me.

The contact was really nice and helpful though...so I'd certainly second the recommendation for California adoptees to check it out.

Some adoption sites seem a little shady...like they're just looking to separate a fool from his pennies...but this one seems legit and didn't ask for money. :)

color me impressed :)

Failure Notice

Oh sheesh...

I refresh my mail and what does it say...... MAILER-DAEMON@ n2.bullet.mud.yahoo.com failure notice

All I did was hit reply.....answer the questions....press send........

Failing so soon...bah.

hmmmmm...I'm resending it just to the address as a forward.

break's over...must get back to class now...

Ahhhh...adoption questionnaire received...

Oh...oh... I dutifully continued to refresh my mail...even though I said I was going to quit. ha But...paydirt. I received a questionnaire that apparently precedes acceptance.

They'll probably think I'm an idiot... after my whole pleading not to put my information online. yikes I think this is the first time I've actually ever typed out my name, address, etc and have it in correlation to looking for adoption information.

I feel confident that it's confidential...I've sent it in, so we shall see. I didn't realize there was so much I didn't know. ha

Probably only a jillion people adopted in Los Angeles. That should narrow it down.

I think I may fall under the 'lost cause' category so far. hehe

Adoption Information Fishing Expedition......

Okay, cool....I've signed up to request to join the California Adoptees group on Yahoo. At least I can see what different things other people are doing and what their experiences are with the whole thing.

I've got to quit checking my mail to see if they've accepted me. Oops...said that and then promptly refreshed the stupid check mail button. hmmmm...they haven't accepted me yet. lol Maybe it is too early or too hot. :)

Should be interesting though......

California Adoption FAQ Thoughts...

Hmmmm....the information on the questions and answers comes from the California Department of Social Services. Their services don't seem all that social.

"By signing this form, I voluntarily give my consent to the CDSS or licensed adoption agency to disclose my name and address to my birth parent(s) so he/she may contact me"....

So...wondering again out loud....can you not request the non-identifying information unless you sign the consent to disclose form?

bah.

If that is the case...then sheesh. I can't find out THE MOST BASIC information without rolling out the welcome mat to whomever might decide to trek across the US and show up on my doorstep. As if my house is not enough of a circus.

Not that I think anyone would do that...show up on the doorstep that is...but I'm not asking for an address...I'm asking about ME!

you know...like what nationality...

Adoption in California - Questions...and apparent answers

I WAS ADOPTED. HOW CAN I GET INFORMATION ABOUT MY ADOPTION AND ABOUT MY BIRTH PARENTS?
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), or the licensed public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption can provide non identifying background information on birth parents to adoptees. The information provided includes general facts about the birth parents and their medical history. This service is available only for adoptions that were finalized in California. Some licensed private adoption agencies may charge a fee for this service. You must request this information by writing directly to the licensed adoption agency, if known, or to the CDSS at the following address:California Department of Social ServicesAdoptions Support Unit744 P Street, MS 3-31Sacramento, CA 95814
If you do not know the name of the licensed adoption agency, you can request the name from the CDSS. Your letter must include your name, birth date, and the full names of both of your adoptive parents. Also, your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. This service is not available through e-mail.

I AM AN ADULT ADOPTEE. HOW CAN I MAKE CONTACT WITH MY BIRTH PARENTS?
California has a Mutual Consent Program that is administered by either the CDSS or the licensed public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption. In addition to the Mutual Consent Program, the Adoptions Information Act applies to adoptions in which birth parents signed the relinquishment for adoption or consent to adoption, or in which the birth parents' rights were involuntarily terminated by court action on or after January 1, 1984.
Mutual Consent Program: An adoptee may complete a Consent for Contact form (AD 904) and submit it to the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency that handled the adoption, if known. If the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency receives a consent form from the adult adoptee (18 years of age or older) and one from his/her birth parent(s), names and addresses can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and the licensed adoption agencies from soliciting consents and providing search services for adoptees or birth parents.
Adoptions Information Act: An adoptee may complete an Adoptions Information Act Statement (AD 908A) requesting disclosure of the name and address of his or her birth parent(s). The CDSS or the licensed adoption agency which handled the adoption can disclose the name and address of the birth parent(s), if the birth parent signed a relinquishment or consent for adoption, or the parent's rights were involuntarily terminated by court action on or after January 1, 1984, and the birth parent signed an Adoptions Information Act Statement (AD 908) granting permission for such disclosure. The adoptee must be 21 years of age or older in order to complete the AD 908A.

I AM THE SIBLING OF AN ADOPTEE OR I AM AN ADOPTEE. HOW CAN I MAKE CONTACT WITH MY SIBLING? Through the Mutual Consent Program, adoptees and siblings may submit a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings form. Please see below for the appropriate form you should complete.
For Adoptees or Siblings 18 Years of Age or Older: If the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency receives a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings form (AD 904A) from the adult adoptee (18 years of age or older), and one from his/her sibling, names and addresses can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and licensed adoption agencies from soliciting waivers.
For Adoptees or Siblings Under 18 Years of Age: If the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency receives a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings - Under 18 Years of Age form (AD904B) from the adoptee and one from his/her sibling, names, addresses, and phone numbers can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and licensed adoption agencies from soliciting waivers.

I AM A SIBLING OF AN ADOPTEE OR AN ADOPTEE. CAN I PETITION THE COURT FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A CONFIDENTIAL INTERMEDIARY? If you have knowledge of a sibling and wish to seek contact with him or her, you must first submit a waiver to the CDSS or the California licensed agency who handled the adoption. If your sibling has not submitted a form to the CDSS or the California licensed adoption agency, you may petition the county superior court where the adoption was granted under Family Code 9205 to request that a confidential intermediary be appointed to locate the sibling. The confidential intermediary will attempt to contact the sibling and ask if he or she would be interested in completing a waiver form.An adoptee or sibling who seeks contact with the other for whom no waiver is on file with the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency, may petition the California Superior Court where the adoption was granted under Family Code 9205 to request that a confidential intermediary be appointed to locate the sibling. The confidential intermediary will attempt to contact the sibling and ask if he or she would be interested in completing a waiver form. Please contact the County Clerk's office of the Superior Court for information on petitioning the court for information.

I AM AN ADOPTEE. HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND/OR DOCUMENTS FROM MY ADOPTION FILE? You may be able to obtain a copy of your original birth certificate by filing a petition under Health and Safety Code Section 102705 in the county clerk's office of the Superior Court in the county where you reside or the county where your adoption was finalized. In your petition, you must show good and compelling cause for the granting of the order. It is at the sole discretion of the court as to whether the original birth certificate will be unsealed.You may also file a petition under Family Code Section 9200 in the Superior Court of the county where your adoption was granted, for access to documents contained in the adoption file that is maintained by the Superior Court. Again, it is at the sole discretion of the court as to whether any documents are released to you.Please contact the County Clerk's office of the Superior Court for information on petitioning the court for information.

I AM A BIRTH PARENT. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON THE CHILD THAT I PLACED FOR ADOPTION AND ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT ADOPTED THE CHILD. WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION AM I ENTITLED TO? The CDSS or the licensed public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption can give birth parents' information on the status of the adoption and general non identifying background information regarding the adoptive parents, including information on the progress of the child at the time of the adoption. This service is available only for adoptions that were finalized in California. Some licensed private adoption agencies may charge a fee for this service. You must request this information by writing directly to the licensed adoption agency, if known, or to the CDSS at the following address:California Department of Social ServicesAdoptions Support Unit744 P Street, M/S 3-31Sacramento, CA 95814
If you do not know the name of the licensed adoption agency, you can request the name from the CDSS. Your letter must include the name you used at the time of the adoption, the child's name (if named) and date of birth. Also, your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. This service is not available through e-mail.

I AM A BIRTH PARENT. HOW CAN I MAKE CONTACT WITH MY CHILD? California has a Mutual Consent Program that is administered by either the CDSS or the licensed public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption. A birth parent may complete a Consent for Contact form (AD 904) and submit it to the CDSS or licensed adoption agency. If the CDSS or the licensed adoption agency receives a consent form from the adult adoptee (18 years of age or older) and one from his/her birth parent(s), names and addresses can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and the licensed adoption agencies from soliciting consents and providing search services for adoptees or birth parents.

HOW TO OBTAIN FORMS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Forms may be obtained by contacting the CDSS at (916) 651-8088, by writing to the address below, by contacting the licensed public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption, or by clicking here Consent For Contact, Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality For Siblings, Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality For Siblings - Under The Age Of 18, and Adoptions Information Act Statement.
California Department of Social Services Adoptions Support Unit 744 P Street, MS 3-31 Sacramento, CA 95814

Non-identifying Information about an Adoption

Okay...thanks for the heads up from Ungrateful Little Bastard (cute name) about the California Adoptees group on Yahoo.

So much to ponder. I am such a chicken.

What is the non-identifying information that can be retrieved? Is certain information about an adoption findable easily? I mean...other than the date?

I do not live in California (not even close to California), so would that hamper any 'petitioning' of the county to be done about an adoption that took place in California?

I figured the success chances of finding a match on registries wouldn't be too high...the ones I've looked seem to quite random....more like hitting the lottery kind of odds.

One more dumb question....my parents are alive and well. I know I am an adult, but would any requests for information go through them as well? Just wondering...

p.s. cute 'Facts of Life' clips... now I'm off to see what all else you've posted :)

Searching Adoption Records...how to search adoption records

How exactly does one set about to search adoption records? It's not like there is a webpage that says adoptionrecords.com. Or is it just that you can search adoption records if you live in an open adoption state?

I mean...I can't just hop off down to the courthouse and commence searching, can I?
Not that I would, but am just wondering.

I was born in Los Angeles, California...and adopted in Los Angeles...so it's not like there are just one or two people adopted from that wee little city. ha

I've looked on a couple of different sites and there are multiple, multiples of people registered for that exact date. Obviously you can weed out the boys and the ones with more specific information.

But goodness....the 'search' would seem to be so open-ended, especially in a city the size of Los Angeles that finding adoption records would be of the needle in a haystack variety.

And, like I said, I'm not on some quest to find out where they live or whatever...just more of a curiousity about the whole process people go through in order to find their biological parents.

Really shouldn't be so hard to find out what ought to be a given.

In my opinion.

What's my opinion on adoption?

My opinion on adoption?

A wonderful thing! Absolutely, without a doubt in my mind.

And it's not just a matter of prefering adoption over abortion...I prefer adoption over raising a child you are unprepared for mentally.

Not having enough money can be a struggle, but can be worked through. Raising a child because you "have to"...ugh.

Adoption is such a great alternative. It's not that the woman doesn't want the child...they are making an ADULT decision to do what's best for the child.

can't say that for a lot of folks...

Adoptions being a secret thing.....

Now when I said that "I wonder why adoptions are such a secret thing".... I did not mean why do people keep adoptions a secret. I was talking about why the information about an adoption....

I am quite sure there are people whose families, for whatever reason, did not tell their kids that they were not adopted. That did not happen to me. I've known for as long as I can remember knowing that I was adopted. Sure there may have been a time that I didn't understand exactly what that meant, but I don't remember it. I've always known that I was adopted.

Funny story...funny now, that is...ha....at my 8th birthday party, I wished for a little sister. I had a younger brother (also adopted) and like most young girls...thought a sister would be an improvement. ha. Another kid at the party was kind enough (sarcasm) to enlighten me to the fact that my mom couldn't have kids...so I needed to make a new wish. doofus girl. Well...pooh on her because when I was 13, lo and behold...my family grew with the addition of a new little sister that we adopted. Pretty cool, eh.

Anyway...rambling again...

The secret part I was talking about is the background information about the biological parents. Not their name, picture and social security number...but little trivial tidbits like their age, likes, dislikes, and what not. (sounds like a centerfold bio with out the pics...ha)

I think I know a few things...but for all I know I've imagined these things and turned them into facts. ha

I'd never quiz my folks on it...I know...my loss. But those are the things I'm curious about. I don't need a name, an address, a reason for giving up custody...those things aren't even all that interesting.

Do they like watching "Forensic Files" after dark, metal detecting in the woods...or ranch on their avocado????

you know...normal stuff

:)

Talking out loud about adoption searches....

Sometimes...okay...all the time...I ramble.

I suppose that's why I thought it would be interesting to start this blog about adoptions, searching for biological parents, and what not.

I am curious about it...granted. Not because I have a bunch of unanswered questions...but, I don't know...just curious.

I talk to no one about it. No one...not my husband, not my friends, not my dogs...lol. I'm not sure why...I think perhaps if I talked about it, then that would be taken as a slight against my parents.

I know...kind of silly. I'm 39 years old...definitely past the point of being able to speak for myself. But, I guess maybe I think people would automatically presume I am dissatisfied with my family and on the hunt for a new one.

Since I don't talk about it...my knowledge is obviously LIMITED. lol

I have read a variety of different postings on the internet....but so many seem to follow a theme of people who 'find' their 'families' and start this whole new life with them as a part of it....or those who hope to do so.

I wonder why adoptions are such a secret thing. Kind of wierd that one would be forced to search for something that ought to be obvious. You know...like an obvious fact, not something that would require private detectives and black op quests.

I've seen the different boards, but good grief...what happens once you sign up on that? Suddenly you've opened Pandora's box.

ouch.