[amylou2]

Hi. I have been searching for my birth sister/ family for several years now but I haven't paid anyone to do the legal searches. I have come to the realization that I am probably going to have to do this to get anywhere in my search. I was born in Spokane Washington in 1979, I have found out by reading that Washington is quite difficult when getting any information. Does anyone recommend a specific CI? I have called 3 but no one has returned my call, Do I need to go through the court first and get it appointed? I just need some help and some direction, as I am getting quite frusterated. I have two young children and it is hard to spend hours on end searching. It is strange to feel like you are missing someone your whole life and they do not know that you exist. (my sister was relinquished before I was born) I would appreciate any advice. Thank-you and good luck in all of your lost and found

[heidibay66]

I was born in seattle and adopted out of spokane in 1966. I understand your frustration. I have been searching for 14 yrs. consisitantly. It seems like everytime I seem to get somewhere, I get cut off. I found a file in court records that was titled adoptions in spokane for the year of my adoption. My file was right there inside that click and when I clicked I was cut off and now I can't get anywhere near that file. I talked with Social Worker from the agency I was adopted thru and she gave me info that I was not suppose to have. She also said that my bparents names were right there in front of her. She told me she would see if she could locate them for me. I called her back about a month later to see how things were going and was told she was transfered out as month earlier.
I understand you frustration but don't stop looking. Have faith that your sister wants to know you. I just pray that I am someones sister and that someone out there wants to know where I am. I sat here tonite crying because I feel like no one worries about me or wants to know me. Then I saw your post and it just gave me a little more hope.
((((Thank You)))
I will pray for you and your search.
babygirl66@werethelost.com

[cls2445]

Please, Please, don't ever feel that your birthfamily doesn't care about you. Keep in mind that us birth mothers from that 60's era were told we could never search for you. We have kept you, our "secret children", in our thoughts and prayers ALWAYS. Keep searching, we need you to find us, and most often will welcome you into our lives again. Your birth mother has always loved you!
Birth mother to R born 1963 reunited May 2007

[Horn311Star]

Okay. I am also A washingtontonian and I have found a service called WARM. Its the Washington Adoption Reunion movement. They find them and you write a non-Identifying letter and they do a third party contact. They have found both me and my sisters parents and all we have to do is write our letters, which is the HARDEST part. Anyhow I am not too sure about the price but its for us washington kids! so go to Washington Adoption Reunion Movement and they have info. They have located mine and my sisters parents and I also have 3 frienbs who I informed about this service and they have all succeded in locating their birth families.

[pennu]

Hi-
You do not HAVE to hire a Confidential Intermediary (CI) to get non-identifying information (non-id) in Washington State. WA law allows counties and agencies to give out this info to adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents upon written consent. Non-id in WA usually includes first names.

You can get non-id from the following places:

1. County where the adoption occurred. Usually this is the same county where adoptive parents lived at the time.

2. Adoption agency, if one was involved.

3. DSHS (welfare, social services, 'the state', etc), if they were involved.

Request non-id from each possible place. People use this non-id to find their birth families all the time w/o hiring a third party.

There are definitely pros and cons to hiring a CI so do your research before going down that road. Many people think it will be much quicker to hire a CI than to search on their own but if you can tap into knowledgable searchers in your area, searching on your own can often be quicker (and cheaper!).

There is a free Yahoo group that helps with search and reunion support for the Northwest states (WA, OR, ID, etc). Go to Yahoo Groups home page and search for "Washington adoption search reunion". The name of the group is "Northwest Adoption Search & Reunion". The group has the very best search angels for this area of the US. All you need to join is a free Yahoo email account.

Best of luck!

-Pennu