|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
First steps to searching
By Michelle
Konieczny
Searching for a lost
loved one is a journey of tremendous emotional ups and downs.
Having your facts straight, taking the time to organize your
search, and taking some time
to educate yourself on any laws that pertain to you individually
will help ease the stress of
your search.
The first step a person searching for someone affected by
adoption should take would to
be to register with the International Soundex Reunion Registry
(ISRR). ISRR is a
non-profit organization, funded entirely by charitable donations.
It is the world's largest
mutual consent reunion registry. It is the cheapest and safest
way to seek a reunion with
Birth Relatives.
You must register using ISRR's special Registration Form. You can
receive the form by
sending a self-addressed envelope to: ISRR, PO Box 2312, Carson
City, Nevada
89702-2312. They can be reached by phone at (775) 882-7755.
UPDATE:
ISRR Forms are now available online!
http://www.isrr.net
Again, you must
register using their form as it is made of special paper designed
for
longevity. You must be 18 to register with ISRR. Adoptive parents
of minors may also
register on their child's behalf. You must also be part of the
adoption TRIAD to register;
meaning you must be the adoptee, Birth Parent, Birth Sibling, or
Adoptive parent.
Once your registration is received, it is entered into ISRR's
computer. If a match is found
you and the other searching relative are notified immediately.
Most states allow you to request non-iden tifying information,
from the adoption agency
and/or county Child Services Office. The amount of information
you obtain varies from
one agency to another as well as one caseworker to another.
Information supplied to
Adoptees and Birth Parents has also been found to have been
altered or fictionalized in
many adoptions.
It is also important to include a release of information form to
authorize the agency or
Office involved to release your identifying information to the
party you are looking for
should they contact the agency or Office personnel.
Some states now operate some form of Registry or Confidential
Intermediary Program.
Your Adoption Agency or Child Welfare Services Caseworker should
be able to supply you
with information on programs within your state. However, this
information can also be
found by going to our website and going to the Initiatives
section under DFS
letters/replies. This information is also available in our 50
States Information section,
again found on our ABORN Website.
[Front
Page][Alerts][News][Features][Activism
Issues][Legal
Issues][Search
Issues]
[From the Founders][From the Editor][From the Readers][The Petition][Print Version]
[Message Boards][Archives][Subscribe][Link to Us][About Us][Contact Us]
WARNING: This
Website, design and content copyright 2000 by the owner and
developer. All Rights Reserved. For Information on how to obtain
a print version for Distribution go here: Print
Version.
For Permission to republish any article appearing in the Adoption
Activism Press please send inquiry to:
permission@taap.8k.com