If you are an adopted child searching for you birth parents or a parent seeking to find a child given up for adoption, here are some tips:

A search can consume lot of time and money.

• Be careful - agencies that promise to find your parent/child for a fee.  There are many that are only interested in your money.

• Keep A Record - Write down the facts as you find them - date of birth, hospital where born, adoption agency, etc.

• Learn about the law in the state where the adoption occurred. Find out the restrictions in that state. Alabama, Alaska, Kansas and Oregon have open adoption records.

• Place a letter on file in the state where the adoption occurred.  This means that you can be contacted.

• Register with the International Soundex Reunion Registry.  This is a free database for relatives trying to locate each other.
  www.isrr.net

• National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
  www.childwelfare.gov/