Searching Based on State
The National Adoption Center has compiled a chart with basic search information by state as an at-a-glance service to searchers through information from both the Child Welfare Information Gateway website and The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (www.adoptioninstitute.org.)
The abbreviation “NI” indicates *non-identifying information. Examples include:
- Medical and health information about the child and child’s birth family at the time of placement
- If the birth parent has other children
- Why birth parent(s) placed the child up for adoption
- Date and place of birth
- Age of birth parents and/ or physical description
- Race, ethnicity, religion and medical history of birth parents
Such information might have been placed in the adoption file by the agency or the birth mother/parents.
Some state laws indicate that an adoptee can petition a judge to have their adoption record opened. Some judges will comply, particularly if there is an urgent medical need. It is important to remember that even if adoption records are opened, the medical history given at the time the adoption took place may be insufficient.
National Adoption Center Search & Reunion Info.