How to Find a Lost Adopted Child
In some states, the biological parents and siblings of children given up for adoption can access adoption records freely once the child has reached the age of majority. In closed adoption states, you will need to request a special court order to review the adoption files, which will include information about the child's new name and contact information for the adoptive parents. Birth families may also sign up with search and reunion services, which maintain databases of adoptees and their contact information.
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Instructions
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Sign up with an adoption search and reunion registry. All U.S. states, along with a number of private companies, have created databases to connect adoptees and their birth families. Once you sign up with a reunion registry, you will be able to search for the adopted child by name, location and date of birth.
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Request that the adoption agency open its file. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, if the child was placed with an agency in an open adoption state, a birth parent or other first-degree relative such as a sibling will be permitted to review the file after the child has turned 18. To do so, you will need to show proof of your identity and submit your request in writing.
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Petition the court to open the adoption records. For the court to consider your request, you will need to draft a petition that outlines your reasons for wanting to locate the adopted child and file it with the court in the jurisdiction where the adoption was finalized. After you have filed your petition, a judge will hear your case and determine whether to grant you access to the adoption files.
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Use public records to find the adopted child's whereabouts. If you have the child's new name and know what cities and counties he or she has lived in, you can use public records to determine the individual's exact whereabouts. Marriage, divorce and property records are all accessible to the public through the courthouse or registrar of deeds. Such records frequently list contact information, including phone numbers and mailing addresses.
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