[D28Bob]

Has anyone had any experience going through the Missouri court system (specifically Jackson County court in KC) and having the court order access to their adoption files or original birth certificate?

I've complied with their rules so far - got my non-ID, traced my birth mother, (she won't respond in any way nor name my father.) I'm trying to trace my paternity, but I don't have his name (it is on the file and OBC - he admitted paternity and Rosalee confirmed that fact.) I got an affadavit from my adoptive parents before they passed away OKing my searching.

My next step is to hire Sandy Sperazza as a confidential intermediary, but she explained that if he is dead, cannot be located, is incapable of making an informed consent, or will not agree to contact, her hands are tied. (he would be 81 now.) Sandy cannot give me any of the information in my file without his consent. And of course, my birth mother hasn't done so either.

I guess I'm exploring fallback positions in case she can't locate him alive and cooperative. So has anyone had any luck petitioning the court in Mo?
Bob Haight
St. Anthony's Home, KCMO Class of 1950

[Haygal]

Bob,
We would love to know what is involved as well in petitioning the court. We have found my husband's birth mother's family (she is deceased) but they haven't been able to help us much on the identity of his father. It isn't that they don't want to help us, there are just none of them left that would have know anything that would help us out. He was born in 44 and his birth parents were both 31 at the time so the odds of his father being still alive is pretty slim.

I am really sorry that your mother is not willing to at least help you out. That is so sad. We are lucky in that my husband's family welcomed us with open arms. If we find out how to go about it I will let you know. It is so frustrating when you know someone is looking right at your information and you cannot get it..ridiculous!

Good luck.
Joyce McNeill