Open Adoption Records

Question: Why won't all states open adoption records? Nearly all birth mothers want adoption records opened. Adoptees want and need access to their original birth records. Why won't all states realize this is a civil rights issue and pass laws to open records? Could this be connected in trying to hide the U.S. agencies sending American babies to third world countries for adoption while making big dollars? What is the answer?

Answer: It was going to happen in the early 1980s but the adoption agencies scuppered together with their million$ and lobbied hard against the records being opened (they ganged together to form what is now known as 'the National Council For Adoption' for the sole purpose of keeping records sealed and secret. They continue to do so to this day, but state, by state, they are finally being beaten (Of course it's because of their profits and business, in addition to wanting to keep the misdeeds of the past tightly concealed) They hide behind 'birthmother privacy' although there is no basis for this and, in fact, when they opposed opening the records in Tennessee, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no such thing! (Doe vs. Sundquist)

Question: VA adoption laws and open records? Can someone more "knowledgeable" than I explain the adoption laws in regard to open records in Virginia.. Here's a link I found.. Can anyone explain what the wording means.. How does VA stand on the scale of open adoption records.. http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/virgin…

Answer: Urgh! intermediaries! More meddling into other people's personal lives - I have a nasty sour taste in my mouth. I guess VA feels that only adults of the non-adopted variety are capable of conducting their own lives - blech. Perhaps adopt a child born and adopted in an open records State Shelly - they are Alabama, Alaska (never sealed them at all), Kansas (never sealed at all and interestingly have lower abortion rates than it's surrounding closed records states - sorry had to debunk a myth there for a moment) Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon. Sorry, I don't know if I answered the question or went off on a tangent there. How lovely to be conversing civilly :)

Question: On the issue of open adoption records...? I've said before that this is an issue I'm personally undecided on, but I would like to learn more about it. All snarkiness aside, I would like to hear the reasonings for opening adoption records, what exactly the information would include and why the adoptee's right to know should supercede the birthparent's rights to privacy. If you favor keeping adoption records closed, I would like to hear your rationale also. Thank you.

Answer: Since giving up a child for adoption does not result in the sealing of the original birth certificate, there absolutely is no right to anonymity. "Birthparents" already have ALL of the same privacy rights that every other citizen has. Adopted citizens do NOT have all the same rights every citizen has. I was relinquished at 13 months. My record remained unsealed and remained mine. If I'd never been adopted, it would have never sealed. At two years of age, I was adopted. Upon the finalization of that adoption, the adoption records sealed. Included in that file, was my original birth certificate. So, short answer noted, I will expound with more information about equal rights and about the law. Adopted citizens are denied unconditional equal access rights to the factual documents of their own births in 44 states. This is something the non-adopted take for granted. In only six states, Alabama, Oregon, Kansas, Alaska, Main and New Hampshire, are all adopted adults granted the sames rights as their non-adopted counterparts. This is an issue of an entire group of citizens, adopted adults, being barred from a right non-adopted citizens have. Unequal treatment under the law is discrimination by the state holding the records. This discrimination turns access to one's own birth record from a right to a privilege, based solely on the adoptive status of a person, a condition over which the adopted person had no say or control. No other citizens but adopted adults are expected to grovel before a judge or ask someone else's permission in order to obtain access to their own birth records. This places adopted citizens in a position of being considered suspect and placed in a secondary class compared to non-adopted citizens. At one point in history, no one was denied the right to his or her own birth record, adopted or not adopted. The sealing of these records began in the 1930's to hide the shame of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and infertility. Sealing records was also a means allowing adoptive parents privacy from birth parents. Some states did not seal records until much later, while some states, Alaska and Kansas, never sealed records. For anyone who believes records are sealed in order to protect the anonymity of the natural parents, consider the actual law. 1. It is highly notable that records only seal upon the finalization of an adoption. They only stay sealed if an adoption remains intact. They do not seal upon relinquishment, are not sealed while the child is in foster care and are not sealed while the child is in an adoptive placement that is not yet finalized by the court. How does this protect a natural parent's anonymity? 2. If an adoption fails, i.e. the adoptive parents "return" the child, the original birth record with the natural parents' names on it, is unsealed and re-established as the child's only legal birth certificate. How does this protect the natural parents' anonymity? Incidentally, I'm sad to say that there have been stories in the papers lately about failed adoptions occurring. 3. Adult adopted citizens in states with sealed records can gain access to their birth records as long as they petition the court and get a court order. How does this protect a natural parent's anonymity? 4. No one has ever been able to bring forth a relinquishment document that promises anonymity. Even the greatest opponents of open records, such as the National Council For Adoption, has ever been unable to produce such a document. 5. In some states with sealed records, it is the prerogative of the adoptive parents or the adoptee (if old enough to state a desire) as to whether or not the original birth certificate is sealed. The natural parents have no say. How does this protect a natural parent's anonymity? Hence, there is no guarantee of anonymity or confidentiality, nor can such be promised under the law as written. Oddly enough, however, I have met natural parents who asked if and when they could contact their relinquished children. They were told that upon reaching 18 years of age, the adopted person could retrieve his or her original birth certificate containing the natural parents' names. Upon reuniting many years later, these natural parents were surprised to find that what they were told didn't pan out because no one had told them that the records were retroactively sealed, despite the information they were given. Although this is not truly an issue about reunion, the topic always brings with it discussion of reunion. Therefore, I shall briefly cover this issue. Reunions happen all the time under sealed records laws. Several states that allow all adopted adults to obtain their original birth records also have contact preference forms. This is a form that natural parents can fill out stating whether or not they wish to be contacted. The preference can be changed at any time. It is filed with the original birth certificate. A copy of it is given to the adopted person if and when s/he obtains the original birth certificate. Because the adopted person knows right away that the natural parent does not want to be contacted, this greatly, greatly decreases the risk of unwanted contact. In states that do not grant access, natural parents and adopted people will continue to find one another, but there will be no information available as to the preference for contact. Like other citizens, adopted persons and natural parents are capable of handling their own relationships, without state interference. They do not need others speaking for them or deciding what is best for them as though they were children incapable of doing so themselves. This is an infringement of the free association enjoyed by other citizens in our society. ETA: Mom5grlz, Okay, see, you're being logical, sensible and practical. Try to pass THAT on to legislators. LOL Loved your response!

Question: Do you think they should open up adoption records or keep them sealed? Both of my biological parents are adopted and i would like to know what my ethnicity is where my family is from and important medical history. I now have a son of my own and I feel foolish when they ask me for my family history and I can't give it to them.

Answer: I know what you're saying. When i became pregnant I too felt stupid for not being able to answer basic family history questions. I felt like i hadn't studied for this test. And when trying to find out this information I was shocked at how impossible it was to attain. Yes I think the records should be open, at least a very detailed family history. It was nice for me to find and meet my birthmother. But it in no way defined my life. It was nice to see a person i resembled so closely, but only physically. I was already who I am before we found each other.

Question: Info about open adoption records? So i have a research paper on should adoption records be open or closed and I chose they should be open. I need some facts about the topic. If you could give me the cite or book where I can find it that would be really nice :D

Answer: Google American Adoption Congress. There is some excellent information on that site. Good luck with your paper :)

Question: How can I get the form, or application to request to open my adoption records.?

Answer: The links are some of the first that Google provided. The later may be the most useful. Are you an adoptee or a birth parent looking for your child? In either case it would be good to find a lawyer familiar with adoption. Laws can very from state to state so if you're serious you might look for a firm that could help.

Question: What are your thoughts on the opening of adoption records for adult adoptees? Right now, a lot of states, my own included, either have had or do currently have legislation being talked about to open adoption records to adult adoptees. Kansas and Alaska never closed birth records for adoptees - they were always available. Now, Maine, New Hampshire, Delaware, Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon have opened the records to adult adoptees only. Share your thoughts please.

Answer: I know nothing about adoption or adoption records, but now I'm wondering, what if the birth parents don't want to be found?

Question: Should all adoption records be open? Should all adoption records be open?

Answer: Absolutely!

Question: Aren't "Open Adoptions" and OPEN ADOPTION records making people adopt ABROAD? At least five families I know adopted in South America and FSU for that very reason. You people demanding these "adoptees rights" are just making it harder for other American kids to get adopted. Please only answer if you know what you are saying.

Answer: I do know that there are some very selfish people who don't want to admit that their adopted children have other family. However, that's not stopped domestic adoptions one bit. There is no shortage of PAP's looking to adopt domestically. Check with the agencies who do them and you'll know this. Equal treatment under the law certainly hasn't changed the rates of any other activities people feared it would. Adoptions haven't decreased nor have abortions increased in the states that have re-instated equal rights. The state Websites have data on this. ETA: Let's take Oregon, for example. In November of 1998, Oregon voters passed Measure 58, which reopened records to adults adopted citizens. Looking at the adoption rates in Oregon, it's clear this hasn't caused a problem. The number on the left is the number of adoption in the fiscal year. The number on the right is the fiscal year reported. 523 -- 1995 558 -- 1996 849 -- 1998 922 -- 1999 831 -- 2000 1,071 -- 2001 1,118 -- 2002 854 -- 2003 943 -- 2004 1,029 -- 2005 1,096 -- 2006

Question: How do you open adoption records of a parent who was adopted? Possible? I am a 32 yo woman whose father (born 1946, TN) was adopted. I am the only surviving member of my family. Both my mother and father have passed. I have no brothers and sisters and neither did either of my parents. My father is deceased as is most likely his parent(s) who gave him up for adoption. At this point, for various reasons, I would like to know if it possible to open such a record. Me being one removed from the adoption, do I have a legal right to do so? This is so important to me! Anyone out there with simple advice or maybe a pathway for me?

Answer: All states have their own laws regarding rights to adoption records. Unless I'm missing something, I'm pretty sure you are in luck! http://tennessee.gov/youth/adoption/reco… Since 1995, Tennessee laws states that an eligible person (the adopted person or power of attorney) has full rights to access birth files including sealed adoption records, post-adoption records, court records, adoption agency and Department of Health Vital records if the adoption occurred prior to March 16, 1951. http://tennessee.gov/tccy/tnchild/36/36-… 36-1-138 Domestic Relations - Adoption Court orders for the release of information: Section C(7) If an adopted person is deceased, the lineal descendants may petition the court to be given access to the records. For more information, call the office of Post Adoption Services at 615-532-5637. Note: In 1997, a bill was passed to allow access to records for adoptions after 1951, subject to provisions.

Question: I need information on how to open up my adoption records on guam and I live in washington? I have contacted lawers in the states and they have no info for me. This is just one of those burning questions I need to answer. Any information would be great. Omnitrace and all other orginazations cant help me, I am hoping someone out there can

Answer: Heres a little bit of information. I was wrong about the open records. Only available by a court order. Theres a link below from a site that I find to be accurate and unbiased. If i find anything else I'll add it up :) http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/l… When an adoption is finalized, a new birth certificate for the child is customarily issued to the adoptive parents. The original birth certificate is then sealed and kept confidential by the State registrar of vital records. In the past, nearly all States required a court order for adopted persons to gain access to their original birth certificates. In approximately 29 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico, a court order is still required to gain access to the original birth certificate. ... For contact information for the State agency or department that assists in accessing adoption records, go to Child Welfare Information Gateway's National Foster Care & Adoption Directory and search under State Reunion Registry or State Confidential Intermediary Service: http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad To see how your State addresses this issue, visit the State Statutes Search. To find information on all of the States and territories, view the complete printable PDF, Access to Adoption Records: Summary of State Laws (PDF - 462 KB)

Question: Can you open records from a closed adoption? My grandmother was adopted when she was just a baby. So she doesn't know the name of her real mother or father. The adoption was a closed one and the family that adopted her named her. Is it possible the the original records would have the name of her original parents on it?

Answer: The only one who can open the records of a closed adoption is a judge and it would get rather expensive and your Grandmother would have to be the one to initiate the process. Even so the case might not be reopened.

Question: im writing a paper about open adoption records for college and i need a title for my paper any ideas?

Answer: that's a good subject. without knowing more about what you are writing I'm limited on what to suggest. A title should reflect the thesis (main idea) of your paper in a short catchy way. one suggestion for a title would be "Open Love"

Question: How do I open adoption records - U.S. born to a Canadian mother ??? adopted in Canada? I was born with dual citizenship, to a Canadian mother in Long Island, NY and after my parents divorced, my mother returned to Canada. When she could not support us, she gave us to the Canadian Children's Aid group in Ottawa and we were adopted out in the late 1950's. Since my birth was dual-citizen, and I was adopted out in Canada, but born in NY, and now I'm simply a U.S. Citizen ... how do I get my records open as they cross country lines. I'm not sure how to start, or who to contact to request that my records be open. By now my mother is probably deceased, but I have siblings whom I would really like to meet. I believe I have my non-identifying information, but I don't know who to contact to request opening my files since I was born in NY but adopted in Ottawa, ON. And I don't have time to do a search as I'm an over-the-road truck driver which is very time consuming. My wife helps, but we still don't know who to write to in order to request opening my records I was adopted through children's Aid Society of Ottawa. I do know my birth name, but I only knew my mother's name as "mom". I'm not sure but I think my dad was US Army. I do know the hospital name where I was born - will check with them. I ordered my birth certificate for my passport and it came back under my adopted parents names. My mom was a dietitian at the hospital; does that help? For the person who told me to ask people who knew my birth parents, you don't understand... there's no way I'd know any of their names. I was about 10 when finally adopted.

Answer: Have you already requested a copy of your birth certificate from New York? The record may not have been sealed b/c the adoption happened in another country. If you haven't tried, it's worth a shot. Do you know your birth name? Do you know the name of the hospital you were born in? If so, contact the hospital and request a copy of any records they have regarding your birth. It's highly unlikely that the hospital has any record of your adoption. If they don't have any records, you still may be able to find information about the children born in the hospital on the day your were born there. For a copy of your birth certificate: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco… You can order a copy via internet @: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco… If your original birth certificate is unavailable, New York has a reunion registry. See the following link: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco… If you want to register, you must submit an application. The application must be signed and notarized. To request an application, write to: Adoption Information Registry New York State Department of Health P.O. Box 2602 Albany, NY 12220-2602 Or you can download the form form here: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco… Contact the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa to request your non-identifying & medical information. Fill out any necessary forms to authorize the release of your information & sign up for their reunion registry. In Canada, "the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa prepares individuals who have been matched for a reunion and referred by the Adoption Disclosure Registry maintained by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. You will need to complete a application form which can be obtained by calling (613) 747-7800 ext. 2720." http://www.casott.on.ca/html/adoption/ad… Also, register with the International Soundex Reunion Registry @ http://www.isrr.net/ And the following registries.... http://registry.adoption.com/ http://almasociety.org/ http://www.nyadoption.org/ Good luck! Contact me via e-mail if you need more help. ETA: Your ORIGINAL birth certificate would have been issued by the state of New York. Was an amended BC issued by Ottawa or NY? A local library may also have the a record of birth announcements that would have been listed in the newspaper for the day of your birth with your name & your parents names, usually on microfiche. A search angel in the area may be able to help you. The library may have online access. You may be able to call a local library for information. As a former foster child, I was able to get a copy of my court records while in foster care. These records provided me with my birth mother & father's names, along with other relatives. Did you begin school in Long Island, NY? Maybe kindergarten or even a head start/preschool program? You might try to get a copy of your school records. Does the hospital have a web site? Perhaps a history page? Human resource department? Someone who's worked at the hospital for ?? years? Just throwing out some ideas. Write down all the information you HAVE & begin with that. Fill in the blanks. Keep a search binder with copies of every record you have, each request you send, response you receive & a log of calls made, etc. This helps serve as a map to your next step as well as avoiding a duplication of efforts. Please e-mail me! I'll be happy to help...

Question: how can i open adoption records in the state of new york?

Answer: call city new york ask a law New York Adoption Records - Adoption.com Forums New York Adoption Records - More information about New York Adoption Records. ... Open Adoption; Faiths; Local; Canada; U.K. Parenting. Just Adopted; Ages & Stages; Issues for ... forums.adoption.com/new-york-adoption-… - Cached Anyone know about opening records in New York? - Adoption.com ... ... know the policy for opening adoption records and other laws for the state of New York ... I believe all adoptions should be open at the legal age of 18. New York is the most ... forums.adoption.com/sealed-records/324… - Cached ADOPTION RECORDS NEW YORK ... New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee ... open adoption, embryo adoption records ... www.adoption.org/adopt/adoption

Question: Should adoption records be open or closed? im doing a project for school and i was wondering what everyones opinion is on this topic?

Answer: OPEN - All children should have the inherent right to know their history.

Question: Is adoption open to public records? What is a closed adoption? How long does it take to adopt?

Answer: I think closed adoption is when the biological parents are not allowed to contact the new family and child? Sorry i don't know the answers to the other 2 questions. Good luck.

Question: what are the laws on opening adoption records if the birthmother is dead? the adoption took place in New York state, and it was a closed adoption. I have no idea if the birth mother left any instructions, but doubt it. There are also no health issues. I want to locate my birth siblings.

Answer: NY State requires a court order, stating 'good cause,' to open the record. Good cause is undefined. It is up to the discretion of the judge reviewing the the petition to open the record. It is rare that a petition to open the record is granted. Knowing one's 'birthmother' or having a deceased 'birthmother' doesn't make a difference. Some adopted persons have actually walked into the court WITH the 'birthmothers' standing next to them and had their petitions DENIED! Having an open adoption doesn't make a difference. The records are still sealed and a court order must be obtained in order to open the record. This is the law in New York: Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized. Obtaining Identifying Information: Identifying information is provided through the registry. Using the Adoption Registry: Adopted adults age 18 or older, born and adopted in New York, adopted adults under 18 with consent from adoptive parents, birth parents and siblings of an adult (18 or older) adoptee. There is no fee to register. Contact: Adoption Information Registry New York State Department of Health PO Box 2602 Albany, NY 12220-2602 (518) 474-9600 http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vr/…

Question: Why is anyone AGAINST opening adoption records? Especially those who have no connection to the adoption triad (birthparent, adoptee, adopter)? Who are people trying to protect? I believe that adoptees should have access to their original birth certificate and records so that they can search if they choose to. I believe that the birthparents should have access to the same info for the same reason. Why would anyone be against this????

Answer: Hi, There are no good reasons to permanently seal adoption records - only excuses. Gershom & Lillie, great thoughts there! Wanda - Why should adoptees be permanently “bound” to any agreement they never saw, never signed, and never agreed to? If arrangements were made on their behalf as infants, adoptees are adults now, no longer in need of any automatic protections from anyone. I believe it is the agencies and some (not all) adoptive parents who really want to continue hiding behind sealed record laws. “R” – If the problem is “the child might not know they are adopted,” then the answer is they need to know! There should always be honesty! If all the lies and secrecy surrounding adoption were eliminated, the things you mentioned would not be issues at all. The solution is open records for the adoptee. It works just fine in every other country & some US states. Suggesting it’s better to deny them the truth of their origins is morally wrong & detrimental to the adoptee on many levels. Adoptees are not dirty little secrets, they are humans worthy of the same dignity & rights that you & all others have. To your assertion that “many birthparents don’t want to be found,” you should read the statistics from adoption.com and my other links below! "Rights to records" & "searching" are 2 separate issues. Unsealing records does not necessarily mean a search will be conducted nor a relationship will develop, as relationships always need to be mutual regardless of adoption status. However, adoptees DO have a right to know who they are & where they came from. If not everyone chooses to search, that's ok. They still deserve their info when/if they want it, once they are adults. Closed adoptions were forced not chosen because there was no other type of adoption then. Anonymity could not have been promised because adoptions aren’t even finalized until at least 6 months after relinquishments are signed. Not all children are adopted anyways. Records are not sealed until an adoption is final so if one is not, then how could anyone guarantee that? If in fact anyone did promise that, they would not have had the legal authority to do so, and it would have been unwanted in most cases. Interestingly enough, in more than two decades of fighting against adoptee civil rights, not one single document promising “anonymity” has ever been submitted anywhere by sealed-records lobbyists. What natural moms DID sign were relinquishment of PARENTING rights. They did not agree to not ever have any contact with their child. Most are overjoyed to later learn what became of their children lost to adoption. For those who say it destroys the adopter’s bond w/the child they adopted, that child is a human being in his own right, not something to be owned & controlled forever. That child grows up & doesn’t need or want decisions made on his behalf anymore. As adults, they are free to associate w/any other adults they choose. Adoptive parents shouldn’t feel they need sealed records to assure them a place in the adoptee’s heart. Love is not something that diminishes if you divide it among more people. It’s the opposite, it grows. Parents are capable of love for more than one child, people are capable of loving their in-laws or stepparents. Adoptees are also capable of loving many people. Nobody should try to deny others the opportunity for additional love in their lives, nor should they deny them the truths about themselves. Searching is a personal quest & it's independent of the love that adoptees may feel from any other sources, it does not replace it. Those who make a living off of the adoption industry are the ones fighting the hardest to keep adoptees away from their records. They also fight to keep unethical practices hidden. It's obviously a very lucrative business, and right or wrong, they are not about to give that up easily. They claim to speak for the natural moms, when in fact, it's their own interests they are trying to preserve. Natural moms overwhelmingly tell a different story. julie reunited adult adoptee & rights activist “ The law must be consonant with life. It cannot and should not ignore broad historical currents of history. Mankind is possessed of no greater urge than to try to understand the age-old questions: “Who am I” “Why am I?” Even now the sands and ashes of the continents are being sifted to find where we made our first step as man. Religions of mankind often include ancestor worship in one way or another. For many the future is blind without a sight of the past. Those emotions and anxieties that generate our thirst to know the past are not superficial and whimsical. They are real and they are “good cause” under the law of man and God.” The petition is conditionally granted. IT IS SO ORDERED April 9, 1979 [Signed] WADE S. WEATHERFORD, JR. Resident Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, South Carolina Read at least # 60-65 Oregon ruling on privacy http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/cases/privacy… "A birth is simultaneously an intimate occasion and a public event--the government has long kept records of when, where and by whom babies are born. Such records have myriad purposes, such as furthering the interest of children in knowing the circumstances of their birth. The Tennessee legislature has resolved a conflict between that interest and the competing interest of some parents in concealing the circumstances of a birth." "Neither a birth nor an adoption may be carried out in the absolute cloak of secrecy that may surround a contraception or the early termination of a pregnancy. A birth is an event that requires the generation of an accurate vital record that preserves certain data, including the name of the birth mother. That the state has a legitimate interest in preserving such data is not disputed here. We recognize that a birth mother may well have a legitimate interest in keeping secret the circumstances of a birth that is followed by an adoption and also that an adoptee may have a legitimate interest in discovering the identity of his or her birth mother. Legitimate interests, however, do not necessarily equate with fundamental rights. The state may make policy choices to accommodate such competing interests, just as the state has done with the passage of Measure 58. We conclude that the state legitimately may choose to disseminate such data to the child whose birth is recorded on such a birth certificate without infringing on any fundamental right to privacy of the birth mother who does not desire contact with the child."

Question: Open records in AUS and the UK? We're often told in N. America, that adoptees couldn't possibly have open adoption records and access to our original birth certificates. Some believe it would cause too many problems for 'birthparents' who are trying to protect thier privacy. Records are now open in the UK and Australiia. Does anyone know the effect? How have things in these countries changed? I meant 'Australia' ;-)

Answer: Records opened in Australia in the early 90's - AND after a lengthy court case - the NSW state government has actually apologized for how it treated women during the Baby Scoop Era of mass adoptions during the 60's and 70's. I believe that records are open to most - except in few situations in some backward states . In Queensland - those that have 'Contact Veto's' placed against them are denied any info (in other states you still get information - as long as you sign an agreement not to contact) - which are usually placed as a knee-jerk reaction of unfounded fears. Sadly - people don't realise that the veto's last a life-time - so in these cases the adoptee can NEVER get any info unless the veto is lifted by the person that placed it there. In Victoria - I believe that perhaps only adoptees have full access - and not first mother's. (not 100% sure) As mentioned by another Aussie adoptee above - you get info - but it still can be hard to track down people on the small amount of info you get. I got a lucky break - I found a family tree on the internet with my first mother's full maiden name and date of birth posted - this then gave me her husbands surname - and then a quick check in the telephone directory - and BINGO - they were found. I have another adoptee friend from Melbourne who I am helping with her search - but sometimes it really takes a long time. Sadly - as the case with my first mother - relinquishing mothers were told to go home and forget about the children they lost - so never thought that their children would come looking. Because of this - many do not even know that their are reunion registries set up in every state - but both parties must make contact before a match is made. There also lies a problem with most birth certificates stating 'Father Unknown' - and only the mother's maiden name shown - as this was the practice of the period - if the parents weren't married. Tracking down maiden surnames can be difficult. Apart from all of this - for the most of Australian adoptees - we CAN get our OBC's - and quite a lot of identifying information. And you know what?? - there has NOT been any increase of outrageous adoptee behaviour (you know - harassment of 'birth mothers') in all this time!!! Adoptees are not to be feared. And the majority of first mothers WANT to one day hear from their relinquished children - in 99% of cases. Come on America - get your act together - and open records for your own people - for crying out loud!