We want everyone to know that Troy Dunn The Locator will appear on the Dr. Phil Show this coming Friday, 10/21/11, at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. 

Troy Dunn has been reuniting adopted adults with their birth parents for many years now.  He’s a great guy and fantastic showman, and you should take a look at this episode. 

Here’s an excerpt on what the show will be about, obtained from the Dr. Phil episodes page:

“Twins Search for Twins

Dr. Phil’s guests are immersed in an adoption mystery steeped in so many secrets, it took expert locator, Troy Dunn, to reconnect the pieces of their fractured family. Lori, her twin sister, Lonnie, and older sister, Linda, say that even as children, they had a stark memory of their pregnant mother leaving for the hospital and returning without a child and a story that didn’t add up. The siblings say they’ve always had their suspicions about a possible sibling, but it wasn’t until their mother’s death that they discovered a piece to the puzzle — paperwork about twins who were placed for adoption decades ago. Delving into the case, Troy uncovers a shocking surprise, but before a reunion can take place, he must deliver some bad news. Find out what happens as Lori, Lonnie and Linda prepare to meet their long-lost loved ones. It’s a family reunion you don’t want to miss! Plus, if you’re searching for someone, don’t miss Troy’s tips for locating a missing relative.”

We hope you take the time to enjoy Troy Dunn The Locator on the Dr. Phil Show. 

If you need immediate assistance locating your birth parents or child given for adoption, please give one of our OmniTrace search consultants a call at 1-888-965-6696 and receive a FREE search evaluation.

There are several states that have open adoption records.  In these states, an adult adoptee can get an original birth certificate and in some instances more adoption record information.

If you are an adoptee looking for your birth parents in an open adoption records state, please request your open adoption records.  However, when you obtain your original birth records, your search might still be difficult.  Having information such as your birth mother’s maiden name and perhaps her old address is a great start, but you will still need to get her current name and address information.  Your birth mother might have changed her name several times, or she might not live in the state where you were adopted.

If you need help with your search, please contact OmniTrace!

Here is a list of states where adoption records for all or some years are open.  In some states, birth parents can sign a no-contact veto:

• Alabama – Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Alaska – Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Colorado – Adoptions records are open for adoptees whose adoptions were  finalized between 07/01/1951 to 06/30/1976 and 09/01/1999 to present.
• Delaware – Adoption records are open.  Birth parents can sign a no contact veto.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Illinois – Adoption records prior to 01/01/1946 are open.
• Indiana – Adoption records prior to 1940 may be open.  OmniTrace is currently investigating how to request the original birth certificate.
• Iowa – Adoption records are open prior to 07/01/1941
• Kansas – Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Maine – Adoption records will be open beginning in 2009.  OmniTrace will obtain the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Maryland – Most adoption records prior to 06/01/1947 are open.
• Massachusetts – Adoption records are open for birth years prior to 4/14/1974.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Michigan – Adoption records are open if the birth parent’s rights were terminated prior to 05/28/1955 or on or after 09/12/1980.
• Montana – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized prior to 2/2/1964.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• New Hampshire – Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• New Jersey – Adoption records prior to 1940 may be open.  OmniTrace is currently investigating how to request the original birth certificate.
• Ohio – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized prior to 1/1/1964.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Oregon – Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Tennessee – Adoption records are open.  No-contact vetos are available to birth parents if the adoption was finalized after 1951.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.

Please note, if you were born in a state that does not have open adoption records, don’t be discouraged!  OmniTrace has many ways to solve birth parent searches involving closed record states.  In fact, some of our best states for searching are closed record states. Also, there is pending legislation in a number of  states where adoption records may become open.

OmniTrace takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the above information.  If anyone reads any inaccuracies with any of the information provided in this post, please let us know and we will make the appropriate changes.  Thanks so much!

Please write or call us if you have any questions about obtaining your open adoption records.

info@omnitrace.com
Toll Free #: 1-888-965-6696

Each week on TV, a celebrity embarks on a quest into his or her birth family ancestry, as they uncover stories of heroism, tragedy, love, betrayal, secrets and intrigue.

Who Do You Think You Are also celebrates the twists and turns of this great nation and the people who made their way here in search of freedom and opportunity.

So, we suggest you tune in to NBC TV and travel through time into the birth family stories of our fascinating celebrities as they solve centuries old mysteries, uncover long lost birth family ties and make shocking discoveries about their ancestors.

If you are reading this post, chances are you are not a celebrity and will not be discovering your birth family on TV on Who Do You Think You Are.  No worries–OmniTrace can assist you.  Please give us a call, toll free, at 1-888-965-6696 and speak with one of our friendly OmniTrace search consultants. 

Oprah Winfrey revealed on her TV show today that she has a new birth family member – Patricia, her half birth sister (her sister’s last name was not revealed).

Apparently, Oprah’s birth mother gave Patricia up for adoption, shortly after her birth, but kept the adoption from Oprah.  Oprah was nine years old and living with her father at that time.  Oprah never knew her birth mother was pregnant.

Oprah’s birth sister lived in foster homes until she was 7—some of them “not so good.”  By 17, she was a single birth mother, Patricia said, and six years later, she had another child.  When she was 20, she searched for information about her birth mother and then let it go until years later.

Patricia said she started thinking Oprah might be her sister when she saw an interview with Oprah’s birth mother, Vernita Lee, on TV.  The birth family information coincided with what she already knew about her family.  “We realized that Oprah could be my sister,” Patricia said.  She tracked down Oprah’s niece who is the daughter of Oprah’s other half-sister.  The pair did a DNA test and they learned they were aunt and niece.  That started the reunion process rolling with birth family members reaching out to Oprah who confirmed with her birth mother that the story was true.

Oprah said that the news of her birth sister literally shook her to her core.  She thought that nothing could surprise her.

Through the years, Oprah Winfrey has reunited many birth family members on her TV show.  She said, “This time, I’m the one being reunited.”  Oprah shared home video of her reunion with her birth sister this past Thanksgiving when she and her partner Stedman Graham drove to Milwaukee to meet her birth sister.  Oprah expressed why she admires her  sister so much.  She said that she has had many people betray her since she became a celebrity and she was moved by the fact that Patricia kept the story secret.  “She never once thought about going to the press,” Oprah said.  “She never thought once to sell the story.”

The birth sisters sat with their birth mother, Vernita Lee, and Oprah asked about her feelings about the family reunion.  “I was shocked to know that she was trying to get in touch with me,” Lee said.  “When I first heard about her, I wasn’t afraid but I was a little leery.”

Oprah said that after leaving her birth mother’s house that she realized Lee has been unable to fully embrace her new daughter because she is still carrying the shame of what she had done.

Oprah said, “I would like to say to our mother, you can let that shame go.” “You can let that go.”

Oprah said she chose to make the announcement about her birth sister herself so the media would not exploit it.

Oprah asked Patricia what has been the most rewarding part of the journey for her. 
“Getting my family,” her birth sister said.

The Locator Episodes have been phenomenal at reuniting birth parents, adoptees and birth siblings.  The Locator investigative team is top-notch and provides great entertainment when they go into action.  During The Locator episodes, you become part of the emotional rollercoaster that we here at OmniTrace are so familiar with.

Troy Dunn and his staff are inundated with search requests and have to choose from hundreds, if not thousands of cases.  According to WE TV, “…for one week each month, Troy devotes all of his staff and resources to one important case that they call theAngel Case.  The Angel Case usually comes to Troy because there is an urgent need to find someone and because she has exhausted all other possible avenues.”

About the new The Locator episodes…

Desperate Mothers premieres on Saturday, November 6^th at 10pm Eastern Time.  Jennifer and her sisters were abandoned by their mother and left with an abusive father.  Jennifer cannot forget the pain of abandonment and turns to The Locator for help in finding her mother.  Can finding Jennifer’s mother help bring her some peace?  Stay tuned!

Then, there is Shelly, a woman with a terribly lonely childhood.  Shelly was adopted and has longed to locate her birth mother.  She wants to know why she was given for adoption and longs to offer her birth mother forgiveness.

Just like on The Locator episodes, OmniTrace – The Adoption Search Experts—reunites birth parents, adoptees and birth siblings.  We estimate that OmniTrace currently conducts more adoption related searches than all TV shows and search companies combined.  We believe our success rate is unsurpassed!

After watching the new The Locator episodes, if you feel emotionally ready to begin your own search, please contact one of our friendly OmniTrace search consultants for a FREE and FRIENDLY search evaluation.  Please call us toll free at 1-888-965-6696 or email us at info@OmniTrace.com.

You can begin a new episode in your life by allowing us to reunite you with your birth family today!

So, you are ready to begin the journey and start your adoption search.  You now need to decide whether to search on your own or hire a private investigation agency.  Here are a few things to consider when opting for the latter:

1)  Be sure to hire a licensed private investigation agency (such as OmniTrace).   Most states have their own licensing requirements.  Some states require investigators to have several years of experience working in law enforcement or working for a law firm.  Special testing is typically required for a license.  Most licensed agencies and investigators need to be bonded and are required to carry errors and omissions insurance.  A licensed agency requires a professional office location and cannot operate out of a living room.  Ask any agency you are considering for their license number and verify it.

(Buyer Beware: If you hire an unlicensed investigator / researcher to conduct your adoption search, they do not receive any oversight by their state.  They may even be performing an illegal service by offering investigative services without a license.  You will be providing an unlicensed, unregulated person with your most personal information!)

2)  Hire a licensed private investigation agency that specializes in adoption searching.  Why?  Would you hire a podiatrist to perform an appendectomy?  Would you hire a civil attorney for a criminal case?  Investigation agencies specializing in adoption searching have knowledge of adoption law, proprietary contacts, access to birth indexes, knowledge of genealogy, specialized databases and more for a successful adoption search.  Adoption specialists are also aware of the nuances involved during the reunion process (kids gloves required!).

3)  Hire an experienced licensed investigator.  Learn how long they have been reuniting birth families.  Ask for specifics, even details on past cases.  Ask for references from past clients.  Speak to others who have used their adoption search service who are not listed as references.

Take some time to find the right licensed private investigation agency that you feel comfortable about and who you can trust.  If you have any questions or concerns, call our toll free number: 1-888-965-6696.

OmniTrace is a licensed and bonded Florida Private Investigation Agency.  License number A2200304.

The Assembly Human Service Committee unanimously approved a bill that has now been moved to the full Assembly for a vote.

This open records bill–The Adoptees’ Birthright Bill–will give adult adoptees, adoptive parents of a minor or relatives of a deceased adoptee access to original birth certificates.  These records contain the names of the birth mother and child at the time of the birth, as well as other identifying information. 

Some birth parents might not want to be identified or found, so the bill gives them a year to ask the state of New Jersey to remove their names and identifying information from the birth certificates. 

For future adoptions, birth parents will have the option of not being contacted, however, the state will still have to provide the redacted birth certificates and a contact preference form.  The birth parents, if they wish no contact, will also have to provide some family background information including medical information. 

This bill to open adoption records in New Jersey is not perfect.  But OmniTrace believes it does a good job of balancing the rights of birth mothers and adult adoptees seeking their birth family or medical records. 

One caveat:  obtaining your original birth certificate will only be the start of your search.  What you will have, in most instances, is your birth mother’s maiden name and her address at the time of your birth.  OmniTrace can help you with determining your birth mother’s current name, any possible birth siblings and current address information on your family members.

Please write us if you have any questions.  You can also call us toll free at 1-888-965-6696.  Please visit our blog frequently for updates on legislation concerning New Jersey Open Adoption Records.

• When was the adoptee born?
• Where was the adoptee born?
• When and where did the adoption take place?
• Was the adoption done through an adoption agency?
• Was the adoptee born in a hospital?
• Which hospital?
• Any name info on the birth mother (adoption searching for birth mother)?
• Any name info on the adopting parents (adoption searching for adoptee)?

Of course, for most adoption searching cases, we usually begin with only a few of the above questions answered.

Below are just some of the steps OmniTrace takes for each case:

• Interview any available persons involved with the adoption
• Contact local adoption searching experts
• Research birth indexes
• Research legal notices and birth announcements where the adoption took place
• Research hospital medical, nursery and billing records
• Request non-identifying information
• Identify and find any involved attorneys
• Identify and find the delivery physician
• Search court minutes in county of adoption
• Research marriage announcements in county of adoption
• Research church records in county of adoption
• Research census and genealogy databases
• Research school yearbooks
• Research old city and phone directories
• Research voter records
• Research postal records
• Contact County Clerk, City Clerk, Tax Assessor and Chamber of Commerce
• Work with reference library in county of adoption
• Request official records under the Freedom Of Information Act
• Use additional proprietary resources

In addition to the more aggressive approaches to adoption searching listed above, we use some  passive techniques such as searching and placing our clients on the major reunion registries (please read: What Is A Reunion Registry).

Please email us or call us toll free at 1-888-965-6696 if you have any questions about adoption searching.

When you request OmniTrace to conduct your biological family search, here’s what we will make every attempt to provide you:

• The name of your biological mother
• The name of your biological father
• The names of your biological siblings and any additional family relatives (e.g., grandparents, aunts, uncles)
• Non-identifying information and identifying information covering the background history of your adoption  (In other words, what the heck happened when you were born.)
• Any available medical records on your biological mother (when records have not been destroyed)
• Background and genealogical history on your biological family members
• The current addresses and phone numbers of all biological family members that we identify.

Complete the simple form on THIS PAGE and start your biological family search now!

Colorado native, Ray Martinez, writes about living in an orphanage, being adopted and much later in life, finding his birth mother.  The complete story appears in “Mom:  A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps” (The Penguin Press, $21.95).  Ray is a former mayor of Fort Collins.  He now heads business development and public relations for Information Technology eXperts Inc.

“I was raised in the Colorado State Children’s Home in Denver. They kept kids from infancy to age eighteen or nineteen years old. I was there from infancy to age five. I remember that the orphanage had this practice where they would allow potential parents to check you out like a library book: they could borrow you for a couple of weeks, take you home, and see if you were a fit for their family.

A couple of times I remember riding in the car, leaving the orphanage with potential parents, and them just trying to make me happy and make me laugh, and me sitting in the front in these little booster seats cars had back then in the fifties. But I never remember…”

You can read the complete article in the Denver Post.  Please share your thoughts with us.