Because Florida is one of the many states that favors protecting the identities of both birth parents and adoptees, obtaining identifying information can be a lengthy, frustrating process, with no guarantee of success. In general, sealed birth and adoption records cannot be released or searched unless both adult adoptees and birth parents have signed an authorized written release of identifying and contact information. However, there are steps you can take to obtain information to take your search further.
Instructions
1. Contact the Florida Department of Health about the possibility of opening the adoption or birth records. If provided with "good cause" in a petition by an adopted adult or birth parent, Florida courts may allow adoption records to be opened.
2. Register with the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR), which was established in 1982 by Florida legislature. This is a passive and mutual-consent registry, which means that both parties must voluntarily register their details before contact is initiated.
3. Register with other reunion registries to try to maximize the possibility for contact. The International Soundex Reunion Registry is one of the oldest, most well-established global reunion registries.
4. Use a search angel. Search angels are volunteers who help adoptees and birth parents with their search, and can be found via the Internet (see "Resources"). These volunteers typically are highly skilled, compassionate, tenacious about searching and have an excellent record of being able to access identifying birth information and locate birth relatives.
5. Use an Internet people search website. There are several available online that have specific search qualifiers for adoptees and birth parents.
6. Join a triad support group. These are volunteer organizations that provide assistance and encouragement to all members of the adoption triad -- generally the adoptee, birth parents and adopted parents, but they can include family members and friends who want to provide support to those involved in the search process. Additionally, visit online support groups and forums that may provide practical and emotional advice on obtaining identifying information.
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