International Searches

International searches provide many unique challenges. Just as searches are handled differently in the United States in each individual state, international searches may need to employ different techniques depending on the specific country.

Some of the factors that complicate international searches are:

The language barrier;
Distance issues;
Abandonment issues;
Closed adoptions;
Corrupt local governments; and
Cultural differences.

Steps to beginning an international adoption search:

Contact the agency that handled the adoption. Some of the larger and well-established agencies may have information on their Web sites about searching.
Look for Internet adoptee groups for the country where the adoptee was born. Network with other adoptees that have already searched, or are considering a search in the same country.
Join an Internet search mailing list for those searching in the same country.
Get in touch with active adoptive parent groups who adopted from the same country. Consider hiring a searcher in the country where the adoption took place. This may be your best shot atfinding your birth family member.

Holt International, an agency that has been around for over 50 years, has many resources on their Web site regarding international search and reunion. Their Web page regarding searches leads to a wealth of information about international searches.

Even if you were not adopted through Holt and cannot take advantage of their search services, browse through their site and take advantage of the information they provide.

Holly McGinnis’s “10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before you Search” is an article of interest before beginning a search. Ms. McGinnis is a Korean adoptee who did not search, but was found. The complexities involved in reunions intensify when extreme cultural differences are thrown into the mix as Ms. McGinnis’s reunion story seems to reflect.

Dillon International Adoption Agency is another large international agency that offers information on the site about international searches.

More International Adoption Search Resources

Although international searching may require some different sources and methods, some of the same methods as domestic adoptions may be used once you have a name:

There is an international version of Classmates.com for some countries. Classmates International subsidiary operates networking sites in Sweden, through Klasstraffen Sweden AB, and in Germany, through StayFriends GmbH.
Search angels are available in various countries. Here is a link that will help you find search angels by country.
This site gives links to International Alumni & Schools
Adopting.org lists many international registries.
Worldwide phone directories are are also available.