[thesearchguru]

Welcome to the Search and Reunion Message Board!

For questions about access to adoption related information and records:
New York State Department of Family Assistance
Office of Children and Family Services
40 North Pearl Street, Riverview Center, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12243
(518) 474-9406
Toll Free: (800) 345-5437
Fax: (518) 486-6326

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:
Adopted adults age 18 or older may receive information through the Adoption Registry or contact the adoption agency that facilitated the adoption.

Obtaining Identifying Information:
Identifying information is provided through the registry.

Using the Adoption Registry:
(Note: will only accept applications if born AND adopted in New York)
Adopted adults age 18 or older, born and adopted in New York, birth siblings, or birth parents may register to allow release of identifying information to one another. A sub-registry with just medical information and non-identifying information has been established for adopted adults age 18 or older, adopted adults under 18 with consent from adoptive parents, and birth parents. Each agency has a registry for adopted adults age 18 or older and birth parents to receive identifying information.

Contact:
Adoption and Medical Information Registry
Department of Health
Public Health Representative
Corning Tower, Room 208
Albany, NY 12237
(518) 474-9600

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:
An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.




Other great websites to check out:
http://www.adoptionchat.com
Adoption Lists - Photolistings, Support Groups, Mailing Lists - Agency, Exchange, Failed, Feel, Find
Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws -
Adopting - Adopt a Baby, Child, Infants, Kids, Older, Services, International, Information China -
Adoption Registry - Records, Reunion Registries, Adoptees, Search Reunite

[oakpark]

BETTY R. RAYMOND (MACIA) YOUR CHILDREN ARE LOOKING FOR YOU. PLEASE REPLY TO MEMBER "OAKPARK' or to adoption forum

BIRTH FATHER NAME : A. MACIA (DECEASED)
Thank You!

[nixxxx]

Thanks for all the great resources. You are truly an angel.

[kelley33]

reading over your post it sounds as though now NY'ers can get identifying information with out both adoptee and parent being registered?? Is this correct and if so do we all use the address you posted??
Can we contact Dept of Children and Family Services to get this information???

[thesearchguru]

The release of Identifying Information is based on BOTH the adoptee and the birth parents giving their consent.




Other great websites to check out:
http://www.adoptionchat.com
Adoption Lists - Photolistings, Support Groups, Mailing Lists - Agency, Exchange, Failed, Feel, Find
Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws -
Adopting - Adopt a Baby, Child, Infants, Kids, Older, Services, International, Information China -
Adoption Registry - Records, Reunion Registries, Adoptees, Search Reunite

[cl_colfam]

I have been searching on / off for 10 years. I am an adoptee searching for my birthparents. I have recently picked up my search again. I was born 9/25/68 at St. Clare's hospital in Schenectady, NY.

I have had no luck finding any identifying information, and have tried the usual routes: writing to the agency, hospital medical records, birthnotices, the registry, etc. I have recently sent these requests out again (after 10 years) hoping I can get new information.

Does anyone have any experience petitioning the court in New York to receive identifying information? My adoption was finalized through Family Court in Saratoga County. How often are petitions successful? It seems I hit brick walls everywhere no matter who I speak with -- as soon as adoption is mentioned, they clam up.

I would appreciate any help!
Lisa

[Nicole28]

Does anyone have any experience petitioning the court in New York to receive identifying information?

I've asked the same question & was frustrated at the lack of responses.

I need to find out what court my adoption was finalized in. I was adopted in Syracuse, NY in Onondoga County. I would assume that the finalization of adoptions occurs in family court...but I'm not sure! Someone also mentioned that my adoption may have gone through "probate" court. What is probate court?? How do I go about finding out which court system handled my adoption?

If there is anyone in the upstate NY area who has petitioned the court, please share your experiences!!

[cl_colfam]

My adoptive parents received a document after the adoption was finalized entitled "Certificate of Adoption." It listed the clerk of the court, the judge, type of court, county, etc. This is not secret knowledge so theoretically you should be able to get it. Perhaps the agency can help you, or you could call or write to Family Court in Onondaga County and see if they have your records. I am 99% sure that in this case it should be a matter of just finding it -- I do not think that anyone would hold this information back from you. You have probably done this, but I will state the obvious anyway - have you asked your adoptive parents if they have this kind of document or know this? Good luck!

[ksb51]

Most/many of the older adoptions (1930s-mid 1960s) were done in Surrogate Court. 1960s-recent, were usually finalized in Family Court.
If you don't have an "Order of Adoption" or a "Certificate of Adoption" you CAN request these. More than not it will take several requests.. and you will end up with a certificate of adoption. (the only identifying information here, is the specific date and court of of jurisdiction. But it is YOURS and you are entitled to PROOF that yo were legally adopted in that county and when! You can usually look in the front of most NY state phonebooks and find the phone numbers (and sometimes addresses) for the Family and/or the Surrogate court. These letters must be notarized! You also should call in advance if this is a larger city and ask if there is a specific judge that handled the post adoption requests. Your letter should refer to this judge as "Honorable" before the person's name !
(eg: Honorable John Doe"). You will need to include in this letter, your place of birth, date of birth, the full names of your adopted parents (including your mother's maiden name) and the address (or atleast the city) that your parents lived in at the time of this finalization.
Hope this info is of some help to some of you!
KSB.

[cyndiasman]

I have a birth certificate from the State of New York Dept of Heath, notating when and where I was born, with my adoptive name. It's actually a certification 'as shown by the duly registered original certificate of birth of said person' as filed on such and such dates etc. I know my birthname......so where is the best place to start.
Cyndi Asman, (born Donna Marie Baldwin) dob 1/15/1955, Village of Johnson City, County of Broome, NY. Thanks

[evildishrag]

I came across this site which might be useful for people searching NYS.

http://www.nyadoption.org/cgi-bin/nyadbase/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&view_search=1

Hope this helps somebody!

[maryemackay]

Thanks for all of the information!
About 15 years ago, I found my birthmother living in eastern NY. She is unsure about which of two men is my father. As I get older, the likelihood of finding them still living lessens. Any ideas specific to an Estonian immigrant (who is one of the "contestants")?
Thanks!
Mary

[tleroy1964]

I spoke to a lawyer who was very helpful in NY. He said I should contact the Monroe County Family Court judge to obtain a copy of my Certificate of Adoption. I called and the judges secretary said I am not entitled to that document, but she could send me a document stating that I was legally adopted. I asked her to send whatever she can. We'll see what I get.

The lawyer also said I don't need the services of a lawyer to petition the court, but that it's most likely a waste of time. I'll probably try it anyway.

[Tasha.1]

Hi
Thanks for the info on contacting the "Surrogat's Court". I did so on this past Tues. and received the 2 applications on Fri. I was really surprised it came so fast as the court is in New York City. Not to see how long it takes to get something back.
By the way I just turned 60 and only found out 14 months ago that I was adopted.
Thanks for the info.
D.O.B. 12/1/45 Queens NY Is what I think if it is the same I've known all my life.

Originally Posted by ksb51

Most/many of the older adoptions (1930s-mid 1960s) were done in Surrogate Court. 1960s-recent, were usually finalized in Family Court.
If you don't have an "Order of Adoption" or a "Certificate of Adoption" you CAN request these. More than not it will take several requests.. and you will end up with a certificate of adoption. (the only identifying information here, is the specific date and court of of jurisdiction. But it is YOURS and you are entitled to PROOF that yo were legally adopted in that county and when! You can usually look in the front of most NY state phonebooks and find the phone numbers (and sometimes addresses) for the Family and/or the Surrogate court. These letters must be notarized! You also should call in advance if this is a larger city and ask if there is a specific judge that handled the post adoption requests. Your letter should refer to this judge as "Honorable" before the person's name !
(eg: Honorable John Doe"). You will need to include in this letter, your place of birth, date of birth, the full names of your adopted parents (including your mother's maiden name) and the address (or atleast the city) that your parents lived in at the time of this finalization.
Hope this info is of some help to some of you!
KSB.

[Mary2]

I am a natural mom lovingly reunited for 12 years with my daughter born in Buffalo but surrendered in Rochester in 1967. I have been writing Catholic Charities in Rochester for my records including documents and progress notes to help overcome the amnesia as a result of the trauma from losing my child, to no avail. It would seem that these records should be covered by HIPPA regulations. Any other moms have any communication with CC of Rochester?