[derekb]

Well, I did it! As many of you may be aware, Newfoundland and Labrador changed it's legistation last April, including a 1 year implementation delay. Effective April 30 (35 days from now) the records of many Newfoundland adoptions will be accessable to the involved parties. The years delay allows those parties who wish to remain anonomous to file a disclosure veto (keeping their identity out of any released documents) or a no contact declaration (releases identity by carries a $10000 fine if contact is established). So what did I do? I filed an "Application for Service) requesting that all records, names etc pertaining to my adoption be released to me. I visited the Department of Vital Statics office in St. John's (be happy to give you directions if you want) and filled out one quick form with adoptive parents paticulars and my birth date, etc. Let them photocopy my birth certificate and paid $50 (does anyone else see the irony in paying the government to release to you what is essentially your own identity??) They actually conduct this paticular transaction in private. When I went to the counter I was directed to a meeting room where a "supervisor" met with me. at first I figured this was going to be some big "are you sure of your feelings" social work trip, but it wasn't. She was real nice, not trying to get inside your head or anything, just friendly. we actually chatted quite a bit about the whole process and I learned a lot. I asked her about the penelty for violating the "no contact" order if I should encounter one and she told me about the 10 grand. She suprised me to say that out of over 18000 applicable adoptions, she only has about 150 applications for information like mine and a similar quantity of veto's & no-contacts (combined). Just this past week the Newfoundland government launched a mass mailing campaign to ensure anyone and everyone knows before April 30. I guess if they start spilling the beans without giving people a chance to prevent it then they open themselves for liability. for this reason I knew they'd take some kind of measures but I had hoped for something a little more low key. Let's face it, I want my information however I have to get it. I'd prefer if the people I find want to be found but if them forgetting to file some form is the only way, I'll take it. Anyway, I was informed that I'll "hear something in May" so now the waiting gets a little more intense than it's been for the last 30+ years. What do you think? I'm interested in all comments and happy to answer any questions. Oh yeah, I'm writing all this stuff as I remember it, don't bet the farm on any of these facts, check it out yourself first.

[DANNYTORO]

.....Great News indeed Derek, I'll have to place my paperwork in the express slingshot to get it up there before the stampede. I'm happy you went in person to find that out, Since I'm in south Georgia, the drive would be a bit much. 18,000 cases, oh my....

[kporpoise]

Thanks for the info, Derek. This is really encouraging.

[derekb]

There was an ad in this Saturday's paper from the prov. government stating that, as a result of the recent labour dispute, the deadline for filing no-contact declarations or vetos has been extended to June 1. For those of you not aware, the 2 unions representing the majority of prov. support workers were on strike for most of April before being forced/legislated back to work. I can understand the requirement of extending the deadline under these circumstances, however I don't understand how, after all these years, 1 extra month feels like an eternity. And still we wait.......

[Flossie]

I have all non identifying information on my sister and brother original names, birthdates, date of adoption into the same family etc. Is this new information pertain only to the adoptee or can birthfamilies looking also ask for this information? Please let me know as I will file immediately. Thanks.

[derekb]

That's a good question. I hadn't thought of that before. I just re-read the info on the government's website and I can't see any reference to information access for birth siblings. That doesn't mean it's not there, but I sure can't see it. I guess a phone call would settle it. You'd probably be looking to call the office of vital stats, that's where you file for information access. The phone number for the St. John's office is (709) 729-3308 or fax (709) 729-0946. This office takes care of all sorts, land claims, birth certs, deeds, etc. I would think if you first request information on access to adoption records you'll get the right person faster. I don't know their office hours but you should reach someone between 9 and 3 mon - fri. If you have any trouble getting thru let me know and I'll try myself (I'm local). Best of luck and please let me know what you find out.

[DANNYTORO]

..My understanding is that the Birth family does have the right to search. This is in part due to the fact that the older of us my not find our parents and the siblings have that right. Also we adoptees have the same right to a no contact order if we wish....

[bertha]

has anyone recd their info from the nfld govt yet?i am waiting on info about my brother he was born may 1964.i couldnt request information myself but my mom could so she filed for his information.it seems like the wait is forever i have been searching for 6 years for him and i cant stand the waiting for information,any news please email me.

marilyn

abmstew@telusplanet.net

[derekb]

I visited the Vital Statistics office in the second week of July to find out where we stood. I had originally been told when I filed my request that I should hear back at least by the end of May. Then the provincal workers went on strike for the better part of April so I figured right, that's the end of June then. When I went there in July I was told it's going slower than they thought and it could now take maybe 3 MORE months to see anything! I'd like to be optomistic but I fear this is just another failure of the same buracacy that has held our identities hostage for all these years. If I never felt like an outcast before, I sure did sitting there with hat in hand to ask this stranger if I can please have access to my identity. Am I the only one who wonders about the equality and humanity of this issue? Most persons have the freedom to choose who they share their personal information with. Identity theft is a crime. How is it acceptable that my government has information about me that I do not have? I believe this information which has been kept from me is not theirs to keep and they have stolen my identity from me, only now dangling it in front of me, just out of reach. To further ruin my day the vital stats folks told me that they're processing all the veto's first and if any veto's are received before they finish, they'll process them too. So as of May 1 I had a right to my information as long as no veto's had been filed. If some ignorant lazy spectator from my past decided on May 15 to file a veto, it's now too bad for me. Betcha a nice lawsuit could be had from all this. How much would you think is reasonable for 30 plus years of torment by the government?

Sorry, I'm having a bad day over this issue, it's not as bleak as I make it sound and I'm sure we'll all be done waiting before we know it.

[bertha]

hi everyone

i called a lady that i registered with over year ago the passive registry in nfld and she told me that last time she checked with vital stats they were backlogged.she said dont expect your mom to get any info til the fall.this is crazy all the waiting and they are still dragging their heels on this.what are they afraid to open the flood gates on this.i live in alberta and it was announced last month they are doing the same thing in nov of this year.they sent pamplet to every home in alberta last month and in 6 months info will be released.whats wrong with nfld they had a year already for people to file vetos its like they are afraid to give people their own information.i wonder if we will ever see this information like you said the longer they drag their heels more chance of someone filing a veto.its not fair i didnt know i had a brother til1993 and this is the only chance of me finding him through my mom she filed for his info.its very frustrationg.

[bertha]

i was just re reading the posts about requesting info about birth siblings.wheni first learned about the new legislation i inquired and was told i could register with the passive registery in nfld and if my brother registered as well i would be notified and i was placed on a waiting list up to 2 years to get his non identiifying info.as of over year later i still never got this.i asked if i could request hisinfo with the new law and was told no only birth parents or adoptees could do this.even though my birth brother and i have the same parents i cant request the info.my dad passed away 2003 my parents were never married but anyhow the only hope was my mom requesting his info and she did that.without his adopted name im at a stand still with looking for him.everytime you think we must be getting closer to hearing some news another delay takes place.they tell me you know we got to go slow with this info got to be careful.i think they are doing this on purpose they must be getting alot calls and email from people looking for their info.i know i hound them every chance i get but i dont live in the province so its kind of hard for me.hopefully the waiting will be over soon and people can move on with the information they get.

[bertha]

hi everyone

today is july 28 2004 i just got an email from vital stats in st.johns they said they just released the first 75 or so this week those up to oct 31 2003.they said they wont be releasing anymore until mid-sept due to summer vacations and they are very busy.looks like i will be one of the ones still waiting as mom didnt send hers in until march 2004. derek i hope your one of the 75 or so and the wait is finally over for you.good luck to everyone


marilyn

[derekb]

Thanks for the update Bertha. I wish I could say it was good news but when I filed in March of this year I was told they had around 150 applicants already in the queue. If I'm lucky I guess that puts me in the next batch, which if these took 2 month will put the next at around Christmas. THIS IS OBSCENE! For government to make claims of time prior to opening the records they must have had some idea of how much work would be involved. And the last indication I got from vital stats was that the volume of inquiries received was less than expected. Why, then, has this become some administrative nightmare? I can't help wondering if this is some stupid work - to - rule thing because of the raw deal the public workers got in being forced back to work. I feel for them and you know I expect this type of crap when I'm looking for something normal like a form or a permit but to have an issue this personally sensitive delt with in such an ignorant fashion is intolerable. I started this process with the best of intentions and generous optomisim, now I believe I have been victimized by the process itself. We deserve to be treated better! I'm really beginning to entertain ideas of taking this further, but where?

[bertha]

hi

sorry derek i thought maybe you might be one of the lucky ones.my mom filed in march as well.i wouldnt put it past those people to have just sent out the no contact ones because when you think about it they would of had to go through them all to make sure a no contact wasnt filed.150 applications i thought it must be in the thousands to be taking this long.whats wrong with those people this is extremely important for those of us who wait for info.i expect it will be christmas before we hear anything.they are slowing this down for some reason.


marilyn

[bertha]

hi derek

you say when you filed they told you they had 150 inquiries.thats not alot considering how many adoptions there must of been.is there just one person handleing all of this?i think they are taking their time waiting for more no contacts to come in then they wont have to deal with it all.i dont know what if anything can be done about this situation.they had to have looked at all the applications before they released the 75 to make sure there wasnt no contact filed.how hard can it be to copy a persons info and mail it.they are covered if no contact comes in after the fact but the longer it takes the more chance of that happeneing.its not fair.they told me they have to be very careful with this and take their time.my brother is now 40 years old how much time are they going to take its not like he is a child.this is so frustrating.