Parent Search

Conducting a birth parent search is something many adoptees will choose to do after they've become legal adults. Adoptees that didn't know much about their biological parents while growing up are more likely to be curious about their roots. As one matures he or she may develop characteristics that separate him or her from his or her adoptive family. These traits are cause for curiosity. The passing of certain milestones, such as marriages or pregnancy, are also attributed to spurring the desire for a birth parent search.

Parent searches begin by asking an adoptive parent how much information he or she may know about one's birth parents. If a child was adopted domestically as an infant by birth mother placement, it's more likely the adoptive parent will have some kind of helpful information to share with the adoptee.

International adoptees are at a larger disadvantage. While it's not impossible to conduct a parent search abroad, it's much more difficult. There are, however, search organizations that specialize by country to help adoptees meet or reunite with birth relatives.

Adoptees who want to search for their birth relatives can register with the state registry, which reveals interest in the release of identifying information on an adoption record. There are also many online registries and search agency services that adoptees can use for parent searches. In the U.S., there are Search Angels who volunteer their time to help adoptees find birth relatives for free.

Note: Adoptees should consider participating in a support group for searchers during the search process.