Search and Reunion

Search and reunion is the process of an adoptee and birth parent searching for one another with the expectation to establish some kind of correspondence or in-person contact. Often, the term "reunion" is used with a grain of salt, as many adoptees and birth relatives have not ever met before and the term "reunion" does not sum up their relationship.

The process of searching has the potential to be emotionally overwhelming, therefore it's advised that searchers find a support group where they can express their concerns, work through their motives and expectations and ask for advice. After finding a support group, or online forum, an adoptee or birth parent will want to register with the state's registry. If both parties independently opt to have their information made available to the other by what's referred to as "mutual consent," then the state will forward their contact information to the other registered party. If this doesn't come through because one party doesn't register, then the searcher can opt to petition for a court ordered confidential intermediary to access the adoption record and facilitate communication.

There are also various online websites that allow registrants to browse the databases of other users with that registry for possible matches.

Reuniting with a birth relative is something that may take some time, particularly if he or she did not register nor was actively wanting to be contacted by the adoptee.