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How To Find Your Adopted Child
How To Find Adopted Child
Here is additional information on how to find your adopted child. This post complements our previous article: Find Adoptee | Search By Date Of Birth Of Child, which we strongly suggest you read first.
Your adopted child’s date of birth, along with just a bit more information about the adoption and the adopting parents may be all you need to find your adopted child.
Our OmniTrace researchers have a lot of experience working with birth mothers attempting to find their adopted child. We understand how much stress you were under during your pregnancy up until your child was adopted. There is, of course, a lot you may not recall. So, you should make every attempt to interview anyone who knew you during that time period.
Of course we understand that anyone who had knowledge of the adoption may now be deceased, or perhaps no one you know has anything helpful to provide you. But, just in case, attempt to speak with:
- Your parents–if they helped you facilitate the adoption.
- Other members of your family– if they have any knowledge (e.g.: aunt, uncle).
- Friends of your parents to see if they were told anything–they may recall some small morsel about the adoption and your adopted child that might assist you.
- Former neighbors of your parents during the time of your pregnancy– to see if they were told anything. There is a chance that your parents shared some information about the adoption with them. Make sure that you bring some pictures of yourself taken around the time of your pregnancy. These may jar memories.
- Your family physician and/or birth physician during the time of your pregnancy–if the family physician and/or birth physician is still alive, they may recall something about the adopting parents and/or circumstances surrounding the adoption.
- Your family attorney during the time of your pregnancy– if an attorney handled the adoption, contact him/her for information. If the attorney is deceased, he may have left his records with a partner or a family member that took over his practice.
Okay, so hopefully you have found someone to speak with who has information about the adoption. Make sure you review and have all the facts at hand that you have developed to date. Try to conduct your interview in person; you may obtain more details this way than by phone or letter. There may be many small bits and pieces of information that they might have that they don’t realize are important. Write a list of everything that you want to cover. At the very minimum, you’ll want to ask:
- What can you tell me about the adopting family?
- Where were the adopting parents residing when the baby was born?
- Do you recall the adopting parents names?
- What were the ages the adoption parents?
- Do you know if the adopting parents had any other children (adopted or natural)?
- What was the educational background of the adopting parents?
- What was the religion of the adopting parents?
- When did the adopting parents pick up the baby?
- Do you know if the adopting parents paid any of my medical bills?
- Did you ever see the adopting parents? If yes, can you describe them?
- Can you recall any information about the birth physician?
- Can you recall any information about the adoption agency?
- Can you recall any information about the adoption attorney?
- Do you recall the names of any social workers?
- Was my child placed in foster care?
- When was the adoption of my child finalized?
- Did we receive a legal notice of adoption by mail or in a legal newspaper?
- Was my birth child named at birth?
- Do you recall what name the adopting parents gave to my birth child?
- Did the adopting family ever try to make contact with me? Did they send any letters, photos, or mementos to my parents that were withheld from me?
Your interview may go in many directions. You may be told something that surprises you, and you may forget to ask everything that you had planned. So, be sure to cover all the questions that you have on your list. And, write everything down!
Shortly, we are going to post articles on: (1) contacting the adoption agency (2) contacting the birth hospital and (3) we’ll address some secret methods that professional search companies like OmniTrace use to find an adopted child when you have reached a dead end and all seems hopeless.
Please post a comment if you have any questions.
You might enjoy these related posts:
I am looking for my son who was adopted in Oklahoma City, OK in 1994. His name is Michael Scott Randall (may have been changed). He was adopted by his brother’s grandparents and then I was told he was adopted by another family. After the adoption they would not allow me to have any contact with him. I was not given any other information. He was born March 17, 1989. Any information is very much appreciated. I still miss him so much.
I’m looking for my birthmother. I was born on July 18, 1990 in Dothan, AL. I don’t know her name. Is there any way to find her other that having to wait to get my original birth certificate?
I am looking for a cousin whose birth mother was Ann or Harriet Beckman. Her son was born somewhere in Chicago in the summer of 1927. If he would like to find out about his roots, please contact me.
I am a grandmother looking for the granddaughter that I forced my daughter into giving up when she was only 15. It was a private adoption and the only thing my daughter asked for was pictures twice a year. The pictures came once a year for 4 yrs.,, then they stopped. The Law Firm is now uncooperative and unwilling to help us. My daughter is now unable to have anymore children… and I am ashamed. I am afraid to list any details now… for fear that the adoptive parents will retreat further into hiding. Should I just keep good records now and continue searching later? ….Or should I begin my detailed search now?
My granddaughter was born in 2002.
I’m So Sorry!
I am a grandma looking for the grandchild I forced my 15 year old daughter to give up. She can not have anymore children… and I am ashamed. It was a private adoption and the only thing my daughter asked for was pictures twice a year. The pictures came once a year for 4 years… then stopped. The Law Firm is now unwilling to assist us. My daughter is heart broken. I am afraid to give any details, for fear that the adoptive parents will fall further into hiding. Should I continue my search now [?], or just keep good records and continue later?
I’m so sorry!
I gave my uncle temporary custody of my son when he was born in 2003. How long does “temporary” last?
hi. My mom recently told me that she has another child, he is a boy.He was adopted in August 1987. My mom said that she misses him and she wants to look for him but she doesn’t know where to start looking. I only know he lives or he used to live in Mgaliesburg, I’m not sure where he is now and he was born on August 13 1987. He was adopted when he was only 4 days old. Before he was adopted he was named Gavon de Kock. please help me find him or if you have any information please contact me..
My mother’s name was Annelie de Kock at the time Gavon de Kock was born. She is now Annelie Jacobs
I would like to find my brother, but I don’t have much information. My mother had a son when she was 14 and put him up for adoption. All I know is that he was born in MD in 1969 to Susan Lynn Rubino. Can you help?
Hi I’m looking for my daughter who will be 32 this year. Her birthday is Dec.6,1977.I miss her so much and I want to see her so she can meet with her sisters.
I have been looking for my first grandchild born July 13 -16, 1977 at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His birth parents were Catholic High School students, ages 17 and 16. The adoption was arranged by a parish priest from Sacred Heart Church, Taunton, Mass (Father Connors). It is believed he was adopted by a family in Centerville, Mass whose last name was MacDonald.Birth parents: Shiela Andrew, Michaael Perry. There are many allergies in birth parents families. Thank you.
My friend,Theresa Ann Juliano Butler, is looking for her son Nathan Travis Juliano(birth name) who was born on Feb.3,1976,in ORMC in Orlando,FL. He was adopted when he was 4 yrs.old from the DCF program in Orlando. She believes he was in the service in Hawaii at one time but cannot confirm that. She has various health issues in her family that she feels he should know about for his wellbeing and she would like to tell him why she had to let him go.
Hi! I’m looking for my cousin Lonnie Allen Shanholtz. He was taken from his parents about 7 years ago. I really want to find him and have tried everything else. His family really misses him and would like a really good reunion this year. His last name may have been changed because he was adopted apparently but if you guys could I really want to find him.
Hello, My name is Antoinitta and I am looking for my two sisters who were both given up for adoption. One of my sister name is Antonette Hall born in 1979 (thought she might be my twin and my mom said she was born a year after me) and Nanika Hall born in 1985. Will try to get more information about them from my mom but both were born in Chicago. They might have gotten a name change my mom says the hospital didn’t give her a birth certificate if anyone can help please contact me through TheSearchAdvisor.com. Thanks.
I am looking for my adopted brother’s. they where adopted years ago when i was still to young to remember dates all like that their mother’s name is Dayva Bush and they were adopted from Cleveland, Ohio I believe they were adopted together Kenyontay Dayvon Bush,Davon Jalorents Bush…there is one more but I have no information on him as I do the other two…Their older brother’s and Sister’s are desperate to find them and reconnect if they want to
I am looking for my half sister. Her and my half brother, Robert who I would also like to find, were taken from my mother in aprox 1958 she would be in her early 50’s. My mother named her Glenda Fay, her fathers last name was Duncan. I think this took place in or around Oregon. Please contact me via thesearchadvisor.com.
Hello, my name’s Brandy and I’m looking for my brothers and sisters that were adopted out to another family. They’re my half brothers and sisters but I want them to know I still love them and that I’m looking for them. Their name’s are Cassie Gregory, Courtney Gregory, Clayton Gregory, Christopher Gregory Jr.
Please help me find them. I know if I don’t ever get to see them again then at least be able to talk to them on the phone would be wonderful.
PLEASE HELP!!!
my name is brianna goynes i was born as brianna bellemore on feb. 3 1991 i was hoping to somehow find my birth mom teresa yoder or bellemore as the last name i’m not to sure what she goes by now i was taken away from her with my brothers and sister when i was 4. i was born at boulder community hospital i am pretty sure thats the name of it but anyways if anyone has any information pertaining to the whereabouts of my mom please contact me through thesearchadvisor.com. thanks.
I am looking for my son Adam O’Drain whom which I had put up for adoption in March 1991. He was born at Norwich Hospital in Connecticut in the month of March 1991.
i am looking for my birth mother her name was katherine leona kelly from ohio.i just started my search and would realy like to find her.my name is denise and i have a brother rob and a sister kim who were also adopted in 1983.if you can help me i could use it thanks
hi iam looking for my five childern that social services took from my they names are abigail,barbaro,zulema,abel and anabarbara rodriguez thier birthdays are 10-05-,11-24,04-01,01-31 and 01-04 thier last name has been changed all born in californa but adopted parnets i belive live in idoho i think of them every that pass by this happen 9 years ago and for 9 years i been living a nightmare i dont know how to start looking for them please help
I am 25 years old with two children of my own. I have always been
curious about my birth parents but it was when I started a family of
my own that I became determined that I was going to find them someday.
It is actually me and my brother Josh that were adopted. When I was a
year and a half and my brother was six months the state of Texas CPS
came and took us away from our parents because we had been locked in a
trailer house in the middle of the summer for several hours with no
food, water or supervision. We were taken to a foster home in
Lampasas,TX where we stayed for 4 years together and had 7 different
case workers before we were finally adopted. I do have copies of the
files from the court and some pictures from way back then, but some of
the information has been blacked out. I do know that my birth father
had been discharged from the Army for unpaid traffic tickets ( which
he had been in jail for a brief period for) and stuff. My mom did not
work but had some mental problems. All these years I have kept in
contact with my foster mom and she has told me that my birth dad might
be in jail and my birth mom might be dead or have been committed. I
would really like your help in finding them. My brother is my half
brother and according to the CPS reports no one but my birth mom knows
who his real father is. I believe that adoption can be a good thing
and that is why when I became pregnant at 19 with my first child I
placed him in a open adoption rather then struggle to be a single mom.
That was almost six years ago and I still visit him. Now I am happily
married with two of my own girls and would like to meet my birth
family.
HELLO MY NAME IS ASHLEY PIERCEALL I AM 23 YRS OLD, AND I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR MY OLDER BROTHER OR SISTER. THIS IS MY “REAL” SIBLING. SAME MOTHER ADN FATHER!! MY MOTHER HAD THEM IN FLORIDA, BUT DOESNT HAVE ANY INFLRMATION BESIDES THE FOLLOWING: THE HOSPITAL WAS LEESBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. BIRTHDATE IS JANUARY 14,1972. BEINGS THIS WAS A PRIVATE ADOPTION MY MOTHER WAS TOLD NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING, THIS ALSO MEANS WE HAVE NO IDEA THE SEX. SHE IS REALLY WORKING HARD TO FIND THEM AND ME AND MY SISTER ARE DOING THE SAME. OUR PARENTS ARE STILL TOGETHER!!! WE WOULD ALL LOVE TO FIND YOU! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE HELP!
ok befor i was born my mom have a daughter and my father made her be adopted out and she is 19 yrs old today and the couple that adopted her was my moms boss and their names are linda tallmen and ray tallmen they own a logging biz… up in richmondville new york (they live thier too) …… but i am trying to find my sister her name is rebecca tallmen born in january 1990 at st. marys hospital ..amsterdam new york and the adopted parents dont have any other kids in the family my sister is the only one and i am 16 and my whole family is trying to find her but the adopted aparents never told her she is adopted they are in the mid 50’s and when my mom did the adoption its was though a attoney and she made it that when she turn 16 that they had to tell her and that we could contact her but they still have not told her and we know this for a fact b/c her school told us and i really need your help her bio father is on his death bed and i really think that she may want to know who he is and its torn my mom her whole life that she dont have all her kids together my mom name is carolyn denise wagner and ower fathers name is clyde lawton jr. so plz contact me with and questions that you have and if you need any info i hope and pray to god that you can help me
plz help me put my family bac together !!!!!!!!
if any info is found contact me through thesearchadvisor.com. we moved to florida and live in new port richey and my other sister lives in gloversville, ny. her name is kaylia lawton and plz help me.
I am here to ak for your help.
My friends Brother, Jack taylor, Born 29th March 2006, was adopted due to an incident with the mother.
If you can help in anyway contatc me by My Email.
Thanks alot.
I found my birth parents on myspace and would encourage people to search there and on facebook. You can find so much information on the internet.
That’s great to hear Rebecca! It would be great if you could elaborate a little on exactly how you were able to find your birth parents via myspace and facebook. Thanks so much.
Well because I had copies of the cps records I was able to look up my birthfathers name and he graduated from Deming,NM which is where I was born so I thought that that might be him and it was. He is still in contact with my birthmom so I was able to find her as well. I know that not everyone has access to there records but a name really helps. I think it is harder to find birth children then for parents to find children that have been adopted out.
Hello, my name is Joi, I am looking for my sister born Teresa Gilliam and my brother born
Anthony Gilliam. My birth name is Tueaday Gilliam and we had a brother named Marty and a brother named Lafayette. We were all given up for adoption to different families. I was raised in NY and I have found our older brother Lafayette living in NC. Marty died in 1984 or 1985.
This is Joi aka Tuesday Elise Gilliam looking for my sister Teresa Gilliam and brother Anthony Gilliam. Tereas should be turning 40 now and Anthony should be turning 38 now. We use to live in Williamston, NC.
Hi, i am looking for my brother that my parents gave up for adoption. I believe he was born the first week in June of 1972. I know he was born in Albany,Oregon.The parents names were Suzanne Bruijn and John Strait. Thank You!
Hi,iam looking for my daughter she was taken from me at a young age iam still young iam 21 and still miss my angel everyday i just want to look for her but not suppost to until she is 18 she right now only 7 but i love her so much. I just want to know is it true that you csn find ur child or loved one cause i pray to find her before iam allowed so when iam able to i know where she is and contact with out any problems.cause i dont want to mis anymore time than it already going by. ps love you savanna xoxoxox she was born aug 27 2001 in prince edward island.
I am looking for my son, who was born in Savanah Georgia on 10/27/86. His adopted name is Jared Robert. Please help
I am looking for a child I placed for adoption
Born: 6/1/86 at Pasco Regional Medical Center
in Zephryhills, FL
Name at birth: Christopher Lawrence Davis
Attorney: Jay Yancey from Lakeland, Fl
I was 13 when I became pregnant. I was sent to live in a place called HUG (Housing Unwed Girls)they took me to the doctors appt’s and to meet with the attorney who set up the adoption. I did not know enough to get certain information about the adoptive parents. My son will soon be 23 and may not be aware that he was adopted,that is all that I know for sure. I desperately would like to meet him, not to change the life he had but rather enhance it. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it.
I am helping a close friend find his niece. She was born in Blair, Nebraska between mid January to mid February of 1976. We believe it was on a Saturday night around midnight. Blair was a small farm town at the time not many births there in a month and only one hospital in town. We do not know if she is aware she was adopted and may have been in foster care to start with. Her uncle and grandfather would like to know she is alright and to meet her when she is ready. She would be 33 years old now. Someone who delivered during this time may remember something. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
NAME FEMI RIVERA
DOB 12/8/1998
SHE WAS BORN IN PLANTATION HOSPITAL IN FLORIDA
I MISS YOU A LOT I HOPE YOU ARE OK I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I MISS YOU. EVERYBODY MISS YOU IFVEN YOU GRANDPARENTS PLEASE IF SOMEBODY KNOW LET ME KNOW PLEASE
MY NIECE BIRTH NAME IA FEMI RIVERA SHE WAS LIVING IN PROVIDENCE MASSA WITH HER BIRTH MOTHER NAME LAURA CAMBERO. CHILDREN AND FAMILIY TOKE HER 4 KIDS INCLUDING MY NIECE. PLEASE HELP ME
I am searching for my older sister that was taken away from my mother. I have very little information. can someone tell me how to go about searching. I know her approximate age and her full name at birth. if i had her birth certificate, would that help?
i am searching for my son that i put up for adoption he was born in council bluffs iowa at jenny edmundson hospital nov 16 1981 at 7:11am the lawyers name was gary t.gee in shenandoah iowa. if any was has any info please let me know.
I am searching for my three sons who were taken away from me in Richmond, Indiana. Their names are Michael White(born August 27, 1985) Andrew Crail(born September 3, 1987) and Joseph Crail(born September 9,1989). I really miss them and think about them everday and love them very much. If any information please call me at 409-xxx-xxxx. Thank you.
(From Admin: Anyone with any information can contact Patricia by writing support@thesearchadvisor.com. Thanks.)
hi i am searching for my daughter .birth name caroline victoria knight.i had her adopted in 1988 in cornwall uk. all i no is that her adopted familly moved away from cornwall in 1991.her d.o.b.is 27/08/1988 please help.thankyou june nicholls .birth mother
I am looking for my son I gave up in 1991. I have counted the hours,days,years for this day to come where I can start to look for Him his name is Anthony Micheal if any one has in for please contact me
Thank you
The mom who has been waiting for this day.
Jenn
Im searching for my daughter, she was given the name of Bonnie Sue Farmer she would be 24 years old right now.Her maternal grandparents raised her; their names are Doris and David Farmer.I believe they either lived on or around the Naval base in NC or SC.I have searched for my daughter for 24 years and now my wife has stepped in and started helping.Anyone with information please help us out.Her birthdate is 11/05/1984.I would love to find her and meet her someday!!Thanks So much Sam Shackleford
I am looking for my birth mother. I dont really know much about her though. My name is Cara Mullins(Doggett). Born in 1989 in Sikeston, MO.
im looking for my younger sister rebecca lee (born 8th august 1995)i havent seen her since i was 2 years old mee and our other brothers and sisters miss loads
I am looking for my son, he was born April 3, 1984. In Ida Grove, Iowa. He was adopted thru the Florence Crittenom Home in Sioux city IA. Please come, I am still living in the same place…I am waiting for you.
Hi my name is Shanelle Wyant and i am looking for some info about my adopted daughter.Her name is Linda Joy Williams and the adopted mother name was Cathyor Kathy williams i think.My mom made me give her up when i was 15!She was born on 4-21-94 at Lake regional Hospital in Missouri.I just wanted some pictures of her as she grew up but i didnt get any.i just want to know how she is doing and what she looks like now.I still love her and think about her often.I have 3 other kids now and they would like to meet their big sister someday.I have 2 boys 12 n 13 and i have a daughter that is 10.If any body can help me out i would be grateful!All i want is apicture. THANK YOU! Shanelle Wyant
My name is Bridgette Hale and Im looking for my older sister. She was born with the name Yolanda Hale Oct 29, 1978. She was born in Cincinnati Ohio. She was sick when she was born and I think the nurse who took care of her also adopted her.