Hi Jan,
Do you know what adoption agency handled your adoption? Children's Home Society was the largest agency that made placements in Tehama County. If this was your adoption agency you can contact Children's Home Society at: 1-800-564-9095 for information that will help you in your search.
If you do not know what agency handled your adoption, or if you were a private adoption, you can contact this office for information:
State of California
Dept of Social Services, Adoptions
744 P Street MS 19-31
Sacramento CA 95814
Phone: 916-322-3778
If you need assistance requesting this information you can email me at:
To begin your search you should request "non-identifying" information from your adoption file. The non-identifying information gives the ages, marital status and physical description of the birth parents. It may also give information about aunts, uncles and grandparents. If you already have this information but it is information given to your adoptive parents at the time of your adoption you might want to contact the agency and request your non-identifying information again. Agencies are giving out much more information now than they did years ago. However, you still will not receive identifying information.
You should also request a "Waiver for Consent to Contact" form. The Waiver is a form that can be used by adoptees or birthparents to give their permission for contact should a waiver be filed by both parties.
You should have your request letter notarized before signing and mailing. It also helps to attach a copy of your driver's license and a copy of your amended birth certificate. Keep a copy of everything for your records in case you need to follow-up.
California Search Website:
http://www.adoptionforums.com
http://www.adoptionchat.com
http://www.adoptionlists.com
http://www.adoption.com
http://www.adopting.org
http://www.adoptionregistry.com