OmniTrace Blog
Get the latest updates via email.
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 children jaquar holmsn and melisa holman jaquar was born on nov 27 2002 and melisa march 4 2004 i miss my children so much if anybody got any information call me.
I am searching for my 2 brother’s that were adopted.
The first one possible birth name was Donald James He is 51 this yr
He was born in St. Mary’s Hospital? in 1958 Montgomery County Amsterdam NY. He was possibly born 5/25/1958 Birth mother was 25 protestant,unmarried. Birth father
was married to someone else. Birth mom said the case worker used to bring him to visit her.He had dark hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen she said.
She thinks he might have been adopted in
Cobleskill,Canajoharie or Schenectady County.
Was adopted after the age one one.
The second was born born in 1960, Schenectady, NY
Birth name possibly Jeffrey possible birth date 6/17/60. 2 sibling’s born before him
Birth mother was 27 at the time, protestant, unmarried
Birth father was married to someone else. She signed into the hospital under the name Green. This woman took him home and DSS took him away for abuse. It was cleared up by DSS and Schenectady Court to my mom’s name Davis. CPS might have been involved.
Anyone with information may contact me at thedodaloo@yahoo.com
my son was adopted the year 1958 his name was kevin anthony fanning he would be 51 years old now he was adopted from the childrens home in freshfield his adopted parents I do not know my last adress was 4 Beaconsfield terrace St marys rd liverpool 19 does any one know about him.
is this vanilla from 143rd
My name is Michelle Salisbury Merlino my X husband name is Richard Merlino. We put a child ( BOY ) up for adoption he was born 2/22/1978 at women and infants hospital through Catholic Social Services in Providence RI. He is now 31 years old and I think he lives in RI im not sure. If anyone has any info please contact me through my email.
i am looking for my brother and sister who are now 24 and 25 i think,not once have i seen them as the only picture i have of them is treasured with me, if anyone could please help, i am at the end of the road, my sisters name is kelly marie newlyn and my brothers is michael james newlyn, there names may have been changed but please there is a hole in my heart and my family, untill i find them that can never be replaced. if u do have any imformation please email me at blondieboo22@hotmail.co.uk,, all i want 2 do is find my brother and sister and see them 4 the 1st time in my life. thanku sophie newlyn
Forty years ago my sister gave a beautiful baby boy up for adoption. He was born in the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow Nova Scotia. My mother had the adoption records sealed so I know very little. He was born in the spring and I would love to find him. Somewhere out there he is probably wondering where and why he was given up. He is part of my family and for many years I have wanted to find him. If you can help nscpl@hotmail.com is one of my e-mail adresses please contact me .
I am searching for my daughters Tiffany and Brittany Cox that were adopted as a young child in Kentucky. They would be 19 and 20 years old now. If you have information please contact me.
I am looking for you. You are a girl born 1/4/1971 at Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln Nebraska about 7 a.m. Your name was Baby Green and you may have been adopted in Lincoln or Omaha. I don’t know anymore than that. tenth11@yahoo.com
MTV “True Life” casting notice “I’m Looking for My Child”
My name is Jenny and I am a producer from MTV’s documentary series “True Life.” We are currently casting an episode called “I’m Looking for My Child” and looking for parents 16-28 who are currently separated/estranged from/not in custody of their child(ren) for any reason (foster care, living with an ex-spouse/gf/bf or distant relative, rehab, etc.) and hoping to reunite. If you or anyone you know is interested, please email Jenny as soon as possible at casting@crosstown.tv with your name, age, location, story, and a photo of yourself.
Thank you!
——-
Jennifer, MTV’s “True Life”
I was raped at 14 years old gave birth on November 9, 1988 to a baby girl I named her Adora Jean Cgraggen at Merle West Medical Center in Klamath Falls Oregon. I was told she had birth deffects (Cirbral palsey, and Microsyphelia) my parents that I no longer have contact with gave her up for adoption through the state of Oregon. Adora will be 21 years old now so I’m hoping to find her and tell her how much I love and miss her. I think the people renamed her Carrie Joy? Thank You Renee’ Miller
My husband rescently found out he has an older son that was adopted at birth andwe are looking fr him now his birth name was Matthew Jacob His biologlical mother was stacy berube and he was born in Biddeford Me If you have any information plase contact me at thongthiz@yahoo.com I thank you and hope to here from someone soon
Hi My name is Joe, I am looking for my son he was born on 08-27-1984 at memorial hospital Hollywood florida Broward Co. He was given up for adoption to a loving christian family in South florida By his birth Mother her name is Renee. The adoption was done without my consent, i would love to find him. if anyone knows any information about him please fel free to contact me at jyd1962@yahoo.com.
Still hoping to hear from “baby boy Cooper” Please…
hi my name is sophie and im looking for my older sister her name is tahnee maree her name at birth was tahnee maree ewan but her last name most likley would have been changed by now all i know about her is that the parents that adopted her have another adopted son named tarrent that was around the same age as her she would be about 21 now. and her birth date was 30/10/1987
if anyone knows anything about her please email me on ava_blink44@hotmail.com
I am looking for my adopted brother who was born in Illinois I think in 1981. His birth name was Robert Brennan. He was born to Mary Wronka and Robert Brennan. My sisters and I are very interested in finding him if he so wishes.
I AM SEARCHING FOR MY SON: TERRENCE JAMES(MAY BE JOSEPH BY NOW) COLE, HE WAS BORN 11.6.94, ADOPTED TO A YAKAMA INDIAN NATION FAMILY. DARK HAIR, MAY BE AS SHORT AS ME BY NOW “5.2″ NATIVE AMERICAN. I MISS HIM DEARLY & ONLY WANT TO KNOW IF HE IS DOING OK. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION, PLEASE, PLEASE, CONTACT ME. OR “SON, IF U EVER SEE THIS….PLEASE CONTACT ME.” http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SLYLO
I am looking for my neice/nephew. I recently discovered that my sister went to pregnancy, delivery, & adoption all while away at college. I haave no idea if she even had a boy or a girl. She delivered her baby at Indiana Hospital in Pennsylvania. This took place in 1991-1993. I cannot believe that my sister made this choice, didn’t think the family would help her, or did it alone. I am deperate to find her baby.
I.m looking for my grandson,His name at birth was or may sill be Dane Michael Dorsey. DOB 09-22-2008 to my oldes daugter. He was dilervered at a hospitol in Calf. She came to Slidell, LA. with the baby. The baby lived with me. My daughter was going through the baby blues. I baptized my grandson and granddaughter on 11-30-2008. That was the last night I seen him. I miss him so much. My daugter told me that she was going to my mothers house with the baby. She never made it, on 12-03-2008 she called me and told me she had gave him up. She tlod that Dane needed a Mothr and a Father. And she could not give him a father. I asked her what about his Family. He has family that love and miss him.
I am looking for an half sister that would have been born in Lebanon, Indiana on September 15, 1969. Your name before adoption was Christine French. Your mom was Anita and Dad was Charlie. I do not know who the adopted parents are or if you name has changed. Please contact me.
Dane Micheal Dorsey, Nanna love you and miss you. your birthday is coming up (09-22-08)and Nanna Just want to sing Happy Birthday to you. Baby boy the family your with have no idea of the love we have for you. My e-mail is langemt292@yahoo.com. Please I would love to have some type of contact with him.
I AM LOOKING FOR MY HALF BRO. I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HIM, HE HAD TO BE BORN AROUND 1986-1988, IT WAS MY FATHERS SON, HIS NAME WAS ALFRED AND THE BIRTH MOM’S NAME WAS TERESA , I WAS TOLD HE HAS BLUE OR GREEN EYES BUT NOT SURE. HE WAS BORN IN CALIFORNIA,POSSIBLY MONTEBELLO, COMMERCE, AROUND THAT AREA. PEASE CONTACT ME WITH IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO. MEXSTUDNMEMPHIS@YAHOO.COM
I am looking for my daughter. Born in the Seattle area 1979, adopted out, without my knowledge sometime in 1981-1982, from the Crescent City CA area. Birth name was Stephanie Dawn Myrhow, had an older brother (not mine) named Mark that most likely went to same adoptive family. Any info would be much appreciated. likekettlefalls@aol.com
I love you Matthew and Lexie! Someday we’ll be united again! I look forward to that day! Until then, hugs and kisses from Mommy.
I am looking for my son who i miss terribly, he was taken from me in 2000, he was adopted and his name changed.. his name was formaly herman altman 2. born in the year 1994 he is age 15 now and was 7 or 8 when i last seen him. If any one knows him or where he is please tell him his mother misses and loves him very much.
My birth name is Madeline Oliver. I was born in 1951 in Queens, New York. I was adopted either late 1954 or early 1955 from the Catholic Home Bureau. I recently learned that I had an older sibling. My birth mother was a French -nationalwho was 21 years at my birth and my Birth father was Irish-American who was 27 years old. If anyone recognizes this scenario or if you know of any Oliver family who may have lived in Queens back in the 1950s, could you please contact me? Thanks.
I’m looking for my brother that my mother gave up for adoption when she was 15. I know his birth name which was Shawn Michael Whilden. My mothers name is Brenda Heiser but was Brenda Whilden. His birthday was September 10 1986. I just recently found out about him and would love to find out more. So if you ever get a chance to read this Shawn please contact me at my email sammismyname@yahoo.com.
Thanx…
Sammi Heiser
IM LOOKIN 4 MY LIL BROTHER NAMED CARMELLO CONTRERAS AN LIL SISTERS NAMED ERLINDA CONTRERAS AN JUSTINE VALADEZ THEY WERE ADOPTED AN I WAS TOLD THERE LAST NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED!! YOU GUYS I MISS YOU IF ANY ONE HAS INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ME!!!!
SAMMY61772@YAHOO.COM
I WONT GIVE UP LOOKIN 4 U GUYZ!!!!
I am looking for my little Grandson, he was born on February 19,2007 at Womans Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA.My daughter Leah K. Mason gave him up for adoption without my knowledge, I talked with her everyday of this “oops” pregnancy, I told her we would help her with everything…she went in early. I was so grief stricken, I have 3 other grandsons, I love this boy like I love them. The name given at birth was Jonathan Mason. She knows where he is but I don’t and she won’t tell me. I think he is in Pennsylvania.He was adopted through some lawyer, Theriot here in Baton Rouge. I was told his parents are “professionals”, the Mom was a social worker, going to be a stay at home Mom.
I only want to know he is alright, I long to see who he looks like. I won’t harass the people, I just want him to know his Granny loves him so very much.I had named him Quintin in my heart,Q-bert for a nickname. I don’t know if I will be here at age 66 when he is 18 and pray he will find us.
I am helping my husband find his adopted children from a previous relationship, Rebekah and Jeremy Sandlin. If you have any information on these two children, currently ages 9 and 10, please contact me at stephaniemarie@fuse.net
I am looking for my brother.He was born in march 1975 or 1974. All we know is that he was born to a doctor and his wife. His name at birth was robert james brown. Our birth mother is donna lynn brown. If anyone has any information on this please contact me at Flossychic29@yahoo.com
I am looking for my daughter, she was born in 1970 in Martins Ferry, Ohio hospital. The name I gave her at birth was Tressa Maria. The only people that I know of that knew anything about the adopted parents are now deceased. There last name was Kovalsky. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. I have some medical problems that she should know about for her own well being. Please if you have any information please contact me at bloevy@hotmail.com
We’re (my sister,birthmother, Sandy Bradford and I)
I miss her and want to know how she is, and does she still have that lovely black hair that she was born with??? 
are looking for her daughter, my niece, born Melissa Renee Bradford; father, Michael Barrington, born October 2, 1973 in San Diego CA–
searching for YEARS!!!!
Please contact me, your Aunt,
at olderthanewe@yahoo.com with ANY information–you have 2 brothers, and one younger sister, and two cousins who want to meet you! 
I am looking for my son who was born on March 28, 1988 at McKeesport Hospital, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His name at birth was Christopher Duane Slachta. His adoption was handled by Elizabeth Duncan in Glassport, PA. She helped unwed mothers at the time. I have been searching for some time now.
I wanted to see how he is and to let him know that he has 2 sisters, ages 18 & 16, who would love to meet him. 
I would welcome any information….and I will understand if he does not want to be contacted, also. I just want to know he is happy, healthy, and well taken care of. I will always be here when he is ready.
I am looking for my daughter Lisa Marie Uribe. She was born November 15, 1994. She was adopted when she was 2 years old and she should be 15 now.
I miss my boys very! much and I’d really like to see them again. The last time I got to be with them was at the hospital when they were born. I treasure those memories and hope that my boys are doing great! I would like to be a part of their lives again to know I did the right thing by giving them up for adoption. All My Love!
The only thing I know about them is that my youngest has been named Zachary Taylor White and he was born 12/28/86 in Cincinnati, OH
Zachary’s brother was born 7/27/85. I really miss you two and hope I get to see you both again real soon!
I am looking for my two little brothers thomas jackson and charlie the third.please every one i need to know that he is ok…
I am looking for my daughter I gave up for adoption in 1982. She was born on January 25, 1982 in Buffalo, NY.
I believe her name is Christian Mahoney. Any information please contact me by email. Thank You
I am searching for my daughter. She was born at Jackson University Hospital, Mississippi on Dec.6th, 1988. Her birth name is Courtney Leigh. Contact me at Tntara@hotmail.com
I am searching for my birth mother and father. I was born 11/29/63 in booth hospital/Cleveland Ohio. parents not married, mom young, Italian, father Irish, liked cars, mother was a nurse. if any of this sounds familiar to anyone please contact either them or me.
We are searching for our brother who was born July 1981 in Fort Worth TX and was adopted to a family that lived in MI at the time. We think the adoptive name given was Gary, Birth name would have been David Scott. If you have any information please contact me.
Looking for my grandson he was born Tyler Allen Kearney birthday is November 8 1989 was adopted through Bethany Christian Services in Chattanooga tn
Im looking for my little brother named matthrew christian. I dont know his last name because his adopted parents changed it. He should be around 10 or 11. I am 14 and when my mother told me the horrible story about her giving up a brother of mine that I never met I was angry and determined to find him. Please help me find him!!!!
I am looking for my half sister for my father. she/you were born on October 5th 1973 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Your adoption took place through “Hope cottage” in Dallas. Your ( our ) fathers name is Charles. He still loves you and thinks about you daily. He’s been searching for you for years but has had no luck. You have two nieces ages 2 and almost 1. And you have a family who will never give up searching for you. You would be 36 right now. Please if anyone has any information on how to find someone with just this information or if you my sister ever see this please PLEASE contact me..
I am looking for my boyfriend’s birth parents. He was born August 4, 1975. We believe his birth name was either Clemen or Clayton. His adopted parents live in Warwick, Rhode Island. His legal name is Joseph Iadevaia. We also think that he may be from Portugese decent. We also think he was born here in RI. If anyone can help us, please contact me!
Thank you!