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For those who never knew or have lost contact with their biological parents, determining the best way to find them is only the first difficult step on the long road to reconnection. Following these helpful tips can make the process a lot easier.
The knowledge of your own biological parentage is part of the answer to one of the most fundamental questions of the human experience: who am I? While many adoptees have wonderful adoptive parents who helped form and shape them into the individuals they are today, oftentimes, they still yearn to have the full answer to that question.
Moreover, sometimes knowing the medical background of one’s biological parents is not only helpful, but necessary in the face of serious health issues. But no matter the reason, setting out to discover your own lineage is one of the most serious and challenging undertakings in the life of an adopted person.
This list of helpful tips can help point those looking to find their birth parents in the right direction.
Start with Those Who Know
If you’re looking to find your biological parents, talking to your adoptive parents is likely the first place to start. Depending on the circumstances of your adoption process, they might know something about your biological parents, or even have your birth certificate.
If they don’t have any information for you, maybe the adoption agency or attorney who arranged your adoption can send you in the right direction.
Know the Laws
Every state in the U.S. has different laws regarding adoption and access to adoption records. Before you really embark on your search in earnest, make sure you know your state’s laws or those of the state you were born in. For international adoption, laws are even stricter, so make sure to acclimate yourself to the essentials as best you can.
Sign Up for the Adoption Reunion Registry
Some states have an “adoption reunion registry” service available for biological parents and their estranged children. If you’ve already signed up and either of your parents is or becomes registered, you will be notified.
You should also provide instruction to your adoption agency or attorney from the start to notify you in the event that your parents make contact with them.
Visit Your Courthouse
If you have any information regarding your birth other than the names of your parents — such as your date of birth or the county and hospital you were born in — you might be able to find your birth certificate at the proper county courthouse. Using the information you already have in hand, finding which birth certificate belongs to you is absolutely possible.
Hire a Professional
This is the step on the list most likely to yield results. It’s also the step to take after coming up empty in your own efforts, or in the event that you can’t dedicate valuable time to a long and possibly complicated search process. In these cases, you need a private investigator.
Hiring a PI does not entail exactly what you might think. Many people think of men in trenchcoats and fedoras lurking in dark alleys when they hear the term. Nowadays, however, hiring a PI most likely means contracting the services of a reputable firm with a wealth of resources at their disposal to solve your particular case.
At Integrated Security Services, we provide clients with several specialized services, not least of which are adoption locates. By utilizing all of the resources Integrated can provide, you’ll maximize your search’s probability of success.
When attempting to find your birth parents, it’s important to take inventory of all the tools and information at your disposal before you even begin. So whether you’re investigating on your own or with the help of a PI, know the steps to start your search.
