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*Check out the '''Clerk of the Circuit Court''' in the county the adoption took place for early adoption records. A Wiki page for the county will give contact information. Ask for searches of '''probate records and guardianship records'''. | *Check out the '''Clerk of the Circuit Court''' in the county the adoption took place for early adoption records. A Wiki page for the county will give contact information. Ask for searches of '''probate records and guardianship records'''. | ||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Roman_Catholic_Church_in_the_United_States '''Catholic Church Records:'''] In the case Roman Catholic adoptions, ask for baptismal information. Sacramental records are available to involved parties and sometimes contain identifying information on birth family members. | *[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Roman_Catholic_Church_in_the_United_States '''Catholic Church Records:'''] In the case Roman Catholic adoptions, ask for baptismal information. Sacramental records are available to involved parties and sometimes contain identifying information on birth family members. | ||
*'''Maternity Home Records:''' Records were created if a birth mother lived in a maternity home. A maternity home, girls’ home, or work home was a place for pregnant women to live and sometimes work. Many unmarried women were sent away from home during their pregnancies to avoid a hometown’s prying eyes. Check local and state historical societies and archives to see if maternity home records are preserved. | *'''Maternity Home Records:''' Records were created if a birth mother lived in a maternity home. A maternity home, girls’ home, or work home was a place for pregnant women to live and sometimes work. Many unmarried women were sent away from home during their pregnancies to avoid a hometown’s prying eyes. Check local and state historical societies and archives to see if maternity home records are preserved. | ||
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**'''Amended birth certificate''' | **'''Amended birth certificate''' | ||
:::An amended birth certificate, created after an adoption is finished, lists the names of the adoptive parents just as if the child had been born to them originally. | :::An amended birth certificate, created after an adoption is finished, lists the names of the adoptive parents just as if the child had been born to them originally. | ||
:::Many people will have an amended birth certificate, with no access to the original. About half of the states allow adults to have access to their original birth certificates. See [https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/adult-adoptee-access-to-original-birth-certificates.aspx#:~:text=Colorado%2C%20Delaware%2C%20Illinois%2C%20Maryland,the%20information%20not%20be%20released. '''Adult Adoptee Access to Original Birth Certificates'''] | :::Many people will have an amended birth certificate, with no access to the original. About half of the states allow adults to have access to their original birth certificates. See [https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/adult-adoptee-access-to-original-birth-certificates.aspx#:~:text=Colorado%2C%20Delaware%2C%20Illinois%2C%20Maryland,the%20information%20not%20be%20released. '''Adult Adoptee Access to Original Birth Certificates''']. | ||
:::An original birth certificate may be obtained through a '''court petition.''' | |||
::: | |||
:*'''Hospital records''': Hospitals often retain birth registers and occasionally have medical information on children born there. Medical records regarding the person you are searching for may sometimes be obtained. | :*'''Hospital records''': Hospitals often retain birth registers and occasionally have medical information on children born there. Medical records regarding the person you are searching for may sometimes be obtained. | ||
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===Making Contact With Relatives=== | ===Making Contact With Relatives=== | ||
====Mutual Consent Registries==== | ====Mutual Consent Registries==== | ||
* | *A mutual consent registry is a means for individuals directly involved in adoptions to indicate their willingness or unwillingness to have their identifying information disclosed. | ||
*Most registries require consent of at least one birth parent and an adoptee over the age of 18 or 21, or of adoptive parents if the adoptee is a minor, in order to release identifying information. | *Most registries require consent of at least one birth parent and an adoptee over the age of 18 or 21, or of adoptive parents if the adoptee is a minor, in order to release identifying information. | ||
*Most states that have registries require the parties seeking to exchange information to file affidavits consenting to the release of their personal information. | *Most states that have registries require the parties seeking to exchange information to file affidavits consenting to the release of their personal information. | ||
====Finding a Mutual Consent Registry==== | ====Finding a Mutual Consent Registry==== | ||
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====International Soundex Reunion Registry==== | ====International Soundex Reunion Registry==== | ||
*[http://www.isrr.org/About.html '''International Soundex Reunion Registry,'''] a free mutual consent reunion registry for people seeking birth relatives. | *[http://www.isrr.org/About.html '''International Soundex Reunion Registry,'''] a free mutual consent reunion registry for people seeking birth relatives. | ||
====Affidavit System==== | ====Affidavit System==== | ||
Minnesota uses an affidavit system through which birth family members can either file their consent to release identifying information or to register their refusal to be contacted or to release identifying information. The written permission may be referred to as a consent, waiver, or authorization form. | |||
To find the contact information to inquire about using this system, go to: | To find the contact information to inquire about using this system, go to: | ||
*[https://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/ '''State Reunion Registries/Confidential Intermediary Services'''] | *[https://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/ '''State Reunion Registries/Confidential Intermediary Services'''] | ||
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::Click on "GO". | ::Click on "GO". | ||
==For Further Reading== | ==For Further Reading== | ||
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