How Do You Find Your Biological Mother If The Adoption Records Are Sealed?
I was adopted in PA in 1971. I am trying to find my biological mother. The adoption records are sealed. I have no idea where she is, what her name is, etc. Is there a way to get the records? How useful are specialized search agencies (ie. Omnitrace) or private investigators? Any info would be appreciated.
Tags: Adoption, Biological, Find, Mother, Records, Sealed, Your
January 1st, 2010 at 6:42 AM
You should expect little help from the organization that placed you for adoption. Moreover, the records in PA are sealed and will not be openned.
The best place to start your search is the Soundex Registryhttp://www.isrr.net/registration.shtml
If both you and a member of your natural family are registered with Soundex, they will put the two of you in touch.
If Soundex does not work, try to put off paying the specialized agencies. Contact local adoptee organizations in PA. There are many tricks of the trade that locals know.
Please don’t get discouraged by people who tell you not to reopen old wounds. You have every right to search out your history.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:54 AM
State laws vary about opening up adoption records. In my state you can write to the agency handling the adoption and tell them that you wish to get in contact with your biological parents. The ltr is then placed in the file & if they receive a ltr from the parent requesting contact with the child, the two are united!
January 1st, 2010 at 10:58 AM
If you were adopted at an agency they HAVE TO UNSEAL THEM FOR YOU same for the state but you will have to fill out some forms to get to them. You can do it yourself…no agency required…but I must ask you this…Is looking up your bio-mom just out of curiosity or medical reasons? People often give up babies for very hard reasons and reopening that wound may not get you the answers that you want. Be prepared to be disappointed in your search. very rarely are our bio-parents what we image they will be