[tineke]

Is this a good thing or a bad thing that in the fall of 2004 the adoptions are going to be open? According to the search agencies, everyone better hurry and sign up with one of them because they are no longer going to be able to do a search after that comes into effect. Does anyone know any more on this?

[Shannonfay]

It's difficult to determine how helpful the open records will be when they are available in Alberta in the Fall of 2004.

Sometimes, the non-identifying information regarding a birthmother is quite helpful in a search....

and whether the non-identifying information will be supplied along with the birthmothers name or if it's just the bmom's name that will be supplied (in the Fall of 2004) is not known yet.

I think that if one has not yet received their non-identifying information from Alberta Post Adoption Registry yet, I would suggest they do it now ....that would ensure one has the non-identifying information and then, if needed, one can re-apply later to receive whatever information will be open to them after September.

To receive the non-identifying information now, there is no charge.
It is anticipated that with the opening of records, a fee would be involved.

The problem I can see with the new law is that is open from Birthparents to birthchildren and vice versa, but not from birthsibling to birthsibling.

Just because a registered search agency is not able to search after the law changes, doesn't mean one has to rush to sign up with them......
it only means that merely the party (whether it be adoptee or birthparent) will be able to receive the information that previously the registered searcher received when hired.

A search quite often can be relatively simple, if one knows what steps to take.

So, not sure if this helps but it might shed a little light on the subject.
~Shannon~

[tineke]

Hi Shannon,
Just to let you know, I am the birth mother looking for my birth daughter. I did find what you said to be quite helpful though. I would like to know which simple steps you are talking about to start a search. I already have non-identifying information, and to be honest, I have a picture of a girl from a newspaper high school graduation that looks like it would be her. I do have pics from when she was 4 years old so I have something to compare with. I just don't know where to go from here. I must admit, I have panicked a little about the new laws and signed up with Adoption Options to do a search. I have been warned though, to watch out that they keep on adding fees to the bill. I won't get carried away with it. Can you let me know if you have any more information on which direction I should go next. I have been searching already for 3 years.
Thanks

[FatBirdy]

I am not sure if this helps or will apply, perhaps Shannonfay would be able to shed some light. I am an adoptee from BC (adoption files are open) and there are a variety of fees required to obtain non-ident info, the entire file, etc. However, I just found out that if you apply through the Freedom of Information Act rather than the Ministry of Children and Families you can obtain all of your information pertaining to your adoption for FREE. Looks like this is a bit of a loophole. Perhaps it will be the same in Alberta?? Good luck!

[Shannonfay]

First, Tineke,

Finding an adoptee is a lot harder to find than finding a birthmother, as currently one wouldn't have a name to work with.

The new laws are actually a benefit to a birthparent looking for their child, as the disclosure of the adoptee's adoptive name is key to finding them.

As you have already chosen Adoption Options, hopefully they will be able to help.

Once they rec'd your money, they get the adoptee's adoptive name from the government, so they have a lot to work with.
When the laws change in Alberta, you would be entitled to receive the adoptees name after paying an anticipated fee directly to the Gov't.

I would think that they should have an answer for you soon as it is my understanding they are closing their files shortly.

Had you not hired a reg'd searcher, I would suggest a search for an adoptee starts by
reviewing classified ads at the appropriate dates, in the newspapers for "chosen child" ads. (Birth announcements)

Second, in knowing the adoptive parents occupation, then reviewing the Henderson Directories for people with that occupation, which is painstakingly a long process - however it can be done.

Fatbirdy,
I have not been able to figure out if the FOIA requires a small fee or not depending on what information is required.
If one applied through them right now (For Alberta born or Alberta adopted), any identifying information would be blacked out.

That's interesting what you found out regarding that, do you know someone that it has actually happened to ?
Are you applying through that?
I would be interested to know what happens if you do.
Thanks for mentioning that, FOIP is something not a lot of people know they can do.

I thought it would cost $50 to get identifying information through Vital Stats in BC.? $50 isn't too bad compared to how much some people have paid to registered searchers and private investigators.

Did I miss anything? :-)
~Shannon

[FatBirdy]

I received my file from the Ministry after I paid a couple of fees a few years ago. Recently it came to my attention that in BC you could apply through the FIOA as well. I wrote a letter about a month ago and have yet to receive anything (still waiting) but there is no cost. I wanted to apply for this to see if any of the information was different or included additional 'stuff' - as well, there was a lot of things blacked out in my copy of the original file so I want to see if this route will give me any more information. I will keep you posted.

Also, when I sent my letter to the FIOA I asked to receive my records from my hopital of birth. I did receive that file rather quickly. It did have my bmom's name on it but most of the info was about my first few days of life - what and how much I was eating, weight etc.

The FIOA is different it seems in every province. I have a friend who looked into applying through them for their Manitoba adoption records - but Manitoba adoption info is exempt from the FIOA. This is what I heard anyway - I have not looked into other provinces myself.

I hope this helps.