Are you looking to reconnect with your biological brother or sister who might be out there? We will list six ways how to find adopted siblings below that can help you on your path. We also answer a host of important questions that you may have about your adoption.
In the US, one out of every 25 families has a child who is adopted. This obviously sets the record that the number of children who have been separated at birth from the foster system.
But as adopted children grow up, they might want to find their way back to their biological families. In fact, there are a number of different ways that can help an individual connect to their blood relative through legal means.
What is Adoption Disclosure?
The US Adoption Disclosure Registry is a national registry that connects an adult adoptee, birth parents and other family members who are seeking reunions. The Registry provides a central location for both parties to search for and find each other.
Unlike many other reunion registries, the US Adoption Disclosure Registry is open to an adult adoptee, a birth parent, and adoptive parents, regardless of whether they were born or adopted in the United States.
The Registry is a confidential database that can only be accessed by adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families who have been verified by the Registry staff.
Once an adoptee or birth parent registers with the Registry, they will be given a unique user ID and password. This will allow them to log in and update their contact information, as well as search for and contact other registrants.
How To Find Adopted Siblings
1. Contact your parents’ adoption agency
If you were adopted, you may be curious about your biological family and roots. You can contact your parents’ adoption agency to learn more about your blood relatives. Most adoption agencies have a structured adoption record about all their work.
This can help you connect with other people who share your DNA. Your parents did not have any chance to find out about your entire family line, since there are disclosure agreements in place.
However, if you as an adult approach the adoption agency that followed your adoption, you have a right to access the adoption record and get in touch with your bloodline. However, access to this adoption record depends on the state where the agency is located.
You might also like to read: How To Adopt A Child From Guatemala?
2. Search Adoption Registries & the internet
As an adopted child or if you happen to know about a sibling who was adopted as a child, there are a number of online forums and support groups where adopted individuals and their birth relatives can connect with each other.
These forums and support groups provide a place for adopted individuals and their birth relatives to share information, support each other and connect with each other. There are a number of online resources that can be used to search for and contact adopted siblings.
Adoption registries, like the International Soundex Reunion Registry, provide a way for adoptees and birth relatives to search for and find each other. Online searchable databases, like the Adoptee Rights Campaign Database, also provide a way for adoptees and birth relatives to search for and find each other.
3. Search State Adoption Records
There are many state adoption registries that allow people to search for an adopted sibling or parent. Each registry is slightly different, but most require that the person seeking information provide their name, contact information, and relationship to the adopted person. Some registries also require a small fee.
Once the required information is submitted, the registry will search its records to see if there is a match. If a match is found, the registry will provide the contact information for the adopted person (if they have agreed to be contacted) or for the adoption agency that handled the adoption.
If you are seeking information about an adopted sibling or parent, starting with a state adoption registry is a good place to begin your search.
4. Access your state adoption records
If you were adopted, and are interested in finding out whether you have any siblings who were also adopted, one place to start your adoption search is with the state adoption records.
Each state has different laws and procedures governing the release of adoption information, so it’s important to do some research beforehand. Some states may allow you to access non-identifying information from your adoption file, which can give you some clues about your birth family.
Non-identifying information includes family background or health related info which does not include things like a name, date of birth, birth father and birth mother names, addresses and telephone numbers.
This may include information such as the occupation and education level of your birth parents, their general physical descriptions, and the reason why they chose to place their child for adoption.
You might also like to read: Can You Adopt Your Sibling?
5. Search on social media
Many adoptees grow up without any information about their biological family or history. This can make it difficult to find a biological sibling, but social media may offer some hope. There are a few ways to go about this.
First, try searching for your birth sibling’s name on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you know their date of birth or any other identifying information, that can be helpful in narrowing down the results.
6. Hire a private investigator
Hiring a private investigator (PI) to search for their adopted siblings can be a good option to consider. If you were never about the adoption, or have very little information to go on, a PI can help you take the first step in the right direction.
A PI with a specialization in looking for estranged family members can be the best choice for these occasions. You will need to provide the PI with some basic information, such as your name, date of birth, and any other relevant details about your adoption.
The PI will then use this information to try to locate your siblings. This process can take some time, so it’s important to be patient. Be sure to ask around and get recommendations from friends or family members who have used a PI before. It’s also important to do your research and make sure the PI you’re considering is reputable and has a good track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to trace an adopted child?
There is no definite answer to this question since it depends on a number of factors, including the child’s age, their country of origin, and whether or not they were adopted through an agency.
If the child is over 18 years old and was adopted from a country that has an open adoption policy, then it may be possible to trace their biological parent. However, if the child is younger or was adopted from a country with closed adoption policies, then it may be more difficult to find a biological parent.
What do you call an adopted sibling?
People may have different terms for an adopted sibling depending on their personal experiences and preferences. Some common terms for an adopted sibling include “adoptive brother or sister,” “foster sibling,” or simply “sibling.” The important thing is to be respectful and understanding of everyone’s feelings when talking about this matter.
What states have closed adoption records?
For someone who went through adoption in the 1960s or later, there is less chance now to access the official adoption records. However, this depends on the state you were adopted from. At present, the states that have closed adoption records access in the US are: Arizona, Florida, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Michigan among 24 other states.
What does your birth certificate look like if you are adopted?
There is no standard form for a birth certificate for an adopted person, as the paperwork will vary depending on the country of origin and the laws governing adoption in that country. The original birth certificate becomes defunct on adoption.
Common birth certificates for adopted people will include information about the adoptive parents, as well as the child’s name, date of birth, and place of birth.
Final Words
Finding an adopted sibling can be a very emotional matter for many. Individuals, it gives them a chance for reuniting with another important person that they were related to by birth but never knew growing up.
There are a few difficult loops to jump through when it comes to retracing the steps back to years and finding out the real story of where you were from. But it is a chance to find your own blood relatives whom you can reconnect with.
We hope this article helps you to find some answers about how you can reconnect with your roots and find out the truth about your birth family. Thank you for reading!