Where do I start?

Getting Started with Search

As you consider starting a search for family members, there are several things to remember:

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• Adoption law and regulations differ from country to country, state to state and, in some states, from county to county. These laws and regulations address the age at which an adoptee can receive information, who can request information, how, and what types of information are available.
  
• Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, and Oregon are "open records" states where adoptees can receive original birth and possibly other adoption information on request. Some other states have provisions to release original birth and/or adoption information with restrictions.
• When requesting information, start with the state where the adoption was finalized and not in the state where the adoptee was born, if different.
  
• It's wise to know why you're searching and be as emotionally prepared as possible since your very first steps may result in contact, or your search could last for years with the possibility of never producing results.
  
• Unfortunately, there have been cases of people contacting searching adoptees and birthparents claiming to be their parent, child, or sibling when this is not the case. Be aware that this can happen.