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Birth Search:

Document Checklist

 At IAMAdoptee, we believe that the decision to search for birth family members must be the sole propriety of the adopted person.

We know that search and reunion can be daunting and overwhelming. We want you to have all the resources to guide you. We also know that searching is only part of the process. The aftermath of a search, whether connections are made or not, can be the toughest part of this process.

Here is what we have prepared for you.

1

10 Helpful Questions to Ask Yourself

  • American Agency Name + Contact Details

    This could be based off referral paperwork, adoption paperwork, or what you were told by your adoptive parents. 

    Having American agency name and contact details could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing access to potentially crucial adoption records and facilitating connections with biological family members or relevant information sources.

  • Orphanage Name + Contact Details

    Having orphanage agency name and contact details could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing access to historical records, staff insights, and potential connections to birth family members or adoption-related documentation.

  • Adoptive Family Name

    Having adoptive family name and contact details could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by potentially offering insights into the adoption process, connections to adoption records, and information about the adoptee’s biological background.

  • Citizenship Certificate

    Having a citizenship certificate could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing legal documentation that may contain clues or information about the adoptee’s birthplace, biological parents, or adoption circumstances.

  • Referral Photo(s) + Arrival Photo(s)

    Having referral or arrival photos could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by potentially offering visual clues or context about the adoptee’s early life circumstances, geographical location, or cultural background.

  • Current Photo

    A current photo could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing a recent visual reference that may assist in identifying familial resemblances or verifying identity during reunification efforts.

  • Overseas Agency Name + Contact

    Having the Overseas Agency Name and Contact could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing access to original adoption records, cultural context, and potential connections to birth family members or adoption history in the adoptee’s country of origin.

  • Adoption Papers

    Adoption papers could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by containing crucial information such as birth parent identities, adoption circumstances, and legal documentation that may facilitate the process of tracing biological origins or understanding adoption history.

  • Court Documents

    Court documents could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by providing official records of adoption proceedings, which may include details about birth parents, legal guardianship, and adoption decrees essential for verifying and understanding the adoptee’s origins and history.

  • Naturalization Certificate

    A naturalization certificate could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by potentially revealing information about the adoptee’s biological origins, such as birthplace or nationality, which could aid in tracing familial connections or understanding the adoptee’s cultural heritage.

  • Letters, Notes + Correspondences

    Letters, notes, or correspondences could be helpful for an adoptee’s birth search by potentially containing personal insights, familial details, or clues about the adoptee’s origins, providing valuable context or leads for reunification efforts.

 

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