How to Find Lost Birth Parents in California

Locating a lost birth parent can be hard.

Finding lost birth parents in California can be difficult. Hospitals and adoption agencies are legally prevented from disclosing information on birth parents who have given a child up for adoption. By obtaining and compiling a series of non-identifying information -- and with the hired help of a private investigation agency -- locating birth parents can often be successful.

Things You'll Need

• Social Services adoption information
• Pen
• Paper
• Envelope
• Stamp
• Non-identifying parent information
• Copy machine
• Private investigation agency assistance

Instructions

1. Write a letter to the California Department of Social Services (CDSSA), recommends Omnitrace.com. Include your name, address, birthday and adoptive parent names. Sign the letter and mail it.

   The letter should be pointed and concise. Note that you require all available "non-identifying information on my birth parents" and ensure the CDSSA you are not seeking the name or address of your birth parents or alteration of any official birth information. Allow two to four weeks for a response.

2. Copy materials from the CDSSA. Examples of non-identifying information for a birth mother, according to Omnitrace, may include age, education, religious affiliations, physical description and hobbies.

3. Call a professional private investigation agency and schedule an appointment. Be sure the agency is licensed and specializes in locating lost birth parents. Provide additional information as needed until your birth parents are found.

4. Fill out a mutual consent form through the California Department of Social Services. Submit the form. The mutual consent form is a critical document to have on file during your search process. The document indicates your desire to reconnect with your birth parents. The CDSS is forbidden, by law, to voluntarily reveal the identifying information of birth parents; however, if your birth parents submit a mutual consent form of their own -- as a desire to reconnect with their natural child -- the CDSS can facilitate the reconnection process.

References

• Omnitrace: Locating Birth Parents in California
• California Department of Social Services: Mutual Consent Forms