[teresa_c]

Almost 3 years ago, I began the process of searching for my birthson, born on 11/08/1976 in Greeneville Tennessee. This was done through the State of Tennessee Dept of Human Services. After several applications and fees, I recieved some non-identifying information on the adoptive parents. The next step was for them to locate my adoptive son and request,for me, to have access to identifying information on him. December 2003 I recieved a letter from the state stating my birth son had denied me the access. Needless to say I was/am devistated. The letter also said I have a "right" to appeal and could then request access to adoption records,sealed records,sealed adoption records and post-adoption records.I would have to complete a sworn statement saying I would never attempt to make contact with him on my own. If I then wished contact,they would procede to contact him for this permission. When I recieved this information I felt it best to let the search go.Since he had denied me access to identifying information,why would he grant contact permission? My heart is breaking......................I am torn........I ache to resume my search,but I also feel the need to accept his decision...A part of me hopes he checks these forums and will see this......and will reconsider. Any thoughts from anyone on where to go from here would be appreciated.

[jn210003]

Hello, I am a search volunteer from Manitowoc, WI. I have assisted in many successful birth parent search for adoptees, in the past 20+ years. Your right to know is determined by the specific adoption state law. I suggest going to any Tennesse library, or county office, and looking up TN code 36-1-12 (c) and TN code 36-1-138. The post adoption Services number in TN is 615-532-5637.

Once you know the state adoption law, you know your rights to the adoption records.

I have learned a procedure to discover the adopted name of an adoptee by going to the County of birth and matching the birth mother's birthing info to the adoptee birthing info. The birthing info is Date of Birth, City of Birth, hospital, doctor, and time of birth. If your County allows public viewing of birth records for Genealogy reasons, this procedure can work. A simple call to the County of Birth Recorder of Deeds office or County Registra wiil tell you if this is a possibility. I will help further, if you want the assistance. Jack