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Published Friday September 18th, 2009 at 2:17am
For an adopted child, the journey to find his or her birth parents can be a long and emotional one, often leading to only disappointment in the end. Using a database in which information about the birth parents and adoptive parents is maintained, it becomes easier for the child to establish contact with the birth parents. Such databases are called adoption registries and they typically contain the necessary records that will allow the parties involved in the adoption process to get in touch with each other, if and when they want to.
Adoption registries are made up of different types of databases that are separated so that it makes it easier to carry out different kinds of searches. All kinds of adoption records are maintained in these databases and they provide powerful search tools that will help anyone looking for their parents or children. In fact, many registries even offer advise and guidance from consultants who can help you search successfully for whoever you are looking for. Registries can be searched based on place of birth, on the ethnic background of the child or parents, the name of the adopted parents, birth parents and so on. These databases will also include information about the medical history of the adopted child. This makes it a lot easier for the child or the parents to locate the person or persons they are searching for. Since these registries are constantly updated and provide support tools, they are also helpful in organizing reunions.
However, just like with any database, the effectiveness of the registry depends a great deal on how much information is contained in the database. If only the child or if only the birth parents are in the registry, it is going to be very difficult to use the registry meaningfully. Since adoption is such a deeply personal matter, the decision to enroll into one of these registries and provide information, is also a very personal one.
Many adoption registries request for membership fees to include your information in the database and to allow you to use all the search and support tools that they on offer. These are not very high, typically ranging from $5-$10 per month.
Many states nowadays use a mutual consent registry to collect information from different parties and then release this information when requested for. This system involves individuals who are directly involved in an adoption process to express their willingness or unwillingness for their identifying information to be stored in the registry. Once the consent for this identifying information is received, it can be released to anyone seeking such information.
Nearly 33 states have now established a mutual consent registry of some form, though exact procedures for enrolling into the registry varies quite a bit from state to state. Some important requirements of these registries are that in order to release the identifying information, the consent of one of the birth parents or that of the adopted person (provided he or she is an adult) or of one of the adoptive parents if the adopted child is still a minor, is needed.
These registries thus make it easier for adopted children to find their birth parents and for birth parents to locate their adopted children, giving them peace of mind.
Adoption registries are made up of different types of databases that are separated so that it makes it easier to carry out different kinds of searches. All kinds of adoption records are maintained in these databases and they provide powerful search tools that will help anyone looking for their parents or children. In fact, many registries even offer advise and guidance from consultants who can help you search successfully for whoever you are looking for. Registries can be searched based on place of birth, on the ethnic background of the child or parents, the name of the adopted parents, birth parents and so on. These databases will also include information about the medical history of the adopted child. This makes it a lot easier for the child or the parents to locate the person or persons they are searching for. Since these registries are constantly updated and provide support tools, they are also helpful in organizing reunions.
However, just like with any database, the effectiveness of the registry depends a great deal on how much information is contained in the database. If only the child or if only the birth parents are in the registry, it is going to be very difficult to use the registry meaningfully. Since adoption is such a deeply personal matter, the decision to enroll into one of these registries and provide information, is also a very personal one.
Many adoption registries request for membership fees to include your information in the database and to allow you to use all the search and support tools that they on offer. These are not very high, typically ranging from $5-$10 per month.
Many states nowadays use a mutual consent registry to collect information from different parties and then release this information when requested for. This system involves individuals who are directly involved in an adoption process to express their willingness or unwillingness for their identifying information to be stored in the registry. Once the consent for this identifying information is received, it can be released to anyone seeking such information.
Nearly 33 states have now established a mutual consent registry of some form, though exact procedures for enrolling into the registry varies quite a bit from state to state. Some important requirements of these registries are that in order to release the identifying information, the consent of one of the birth parents or that of the adopted person (provided he or she is an adult) or of one of the adoptive parents if the adopted child is still a minor, is needed.
These registries thus make it easier for adopted children to find their birth parents and for birth parents to locate their adopted children, giving them peace of mind.