[Willie_5566]

I am overwhelmed by reading all of the other searchers on here. I do not know where to begin and from reading other posts I feel this may be hopeless. Oh well I have to try.

I was adopted in Ohio in 1974. As luck (bad luck)would have it Ohio is a closed record state. I contacted the court that oversees these matters and I was told I have about zero chance of successfully getting my records opened.

I am looking for suggestions on how to proceed with my search.

Has anyone used a service like Omni Trace? I know many feel that you should not pay for this info but frankly my goal is to get the info by any means necessary. I know some people have hired attorney's to try to get their records open so why not pay a company to search for you?

Regardless, I guess I am trying to figure out what my next course of action should be. Please help!

[bakerjw]

We can't discuss search companies openly. I'll send a PM.

As everyone says, start a journal with entries for what you do, when you do it, and who you sent it to.

We're here to help with your search. A lot of us are in the process and working on ours daily. If not working on it then we are on the forums.

First things first. Go here and register.
Ohio Adoption Registry
Almost all states require registering before helping to any degree. When you do this request your non identifying information from the state. Make sure that you get the location of the court, the case number, the date, and agency name if at all possible.
http://www.gsadoptionregistry.com/
Check the court ordered release here.
Adoptions - Finalized

Do you know if an agency handled your adoption or if it was private? Agencies will provide non identifying information usually for a fee. Be firm when requesting this and emphatically state that you want all non identifying information and not some typed up happy happy joy joy letter. They like to send those.

While that is going on register on every adoption registry out there.
Adoption Registry - Records, Reunion Registries, Adoptees, Search, Reunite, Birth Mother, Father, Pa
Adoption Registry Connect
http://www.gsadoptionregistry.com/
to name a few

And also ISRR - International Soundex Reunion Registry

Some are searchable and some will notify you if a match comes up.

Best wishes

We really need a sticky for these steps.

[Willie_5566]

Thanks for your help Baker. It certainly gives me a starting point.

I contacted the State of Ohio Adoption Registry and it appears that is only for parents and siblings of my biological family. They can request to release my records to me. That will only happen if I at the same time petition the court of the county that I am in.

So it appears my first step is to petition the court. Time to dig in and prepare for a long battle. Sigh.

[sborgstrom]

And remember, we are here if you need to talk...There are alot of search angels here that may be able to help you..Good luck to you and keep us informed

Sandy

[Willie_5566]

Originally Posted by sborgstrom

And remember, we are here if you need to talk...There are alot of search angels here that may be able to help you..Good luck to you and keep us informed

Sandy

Thanks for your encouragement. Been busy lately with work and home life. I have not been able to do much. I can see where this could be a full time job. Hopefully I can get something accomplished soon.

[Drywall]

Willie...its sounds as tho you are on the right track in terms of starting out. Most search angels dont charge and you may want to see if they can help.

The following are just some thots for your evaluation.

If you are trying to decide whether to use a search company as opposed to an attorney I would suggest that the attorney will be someone who can provide advice appropriate to the laws of your state. Also, he is on your side.

Additionally, some attorneys offer a free consultation to see if there is enough evidence to go to court.

In some states, some judges are lenient and allow records to be opened for various seasons. Other Judges follow the letter of the law and allow the records to remain sealed unless the rules for gaining access to the information meets the criteria under law.

I wish you the best.

[Willie_5566]

Originally Posted by Drywall

Willie...its sounds as tho you are on the right track in terms of starting out. Most search angels dont charge and you may want to see if they can help.

The following are just some thots for your evaluation.

If you are trying to decide whether to use a search company as opposed to an attorney I would suggest that the attorney will be someone who can provide advice appropriate to the laws of your state. Also, he is on your side.

Additionally, some attorneys offer a free consultation to see if there is enough evidence to go to court.

In some states, some judges are lenient and allow records to be opened for various seasons. Other Judges follow the letter of the law and allow the records to remain sealed unless the rules for gaining access to the information meets the criteria under law.

I wish you the best.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I need plenty of both!

I am going to try this without any money first. Then if things get desperate I will look for alternatives.

[RatherBSewing]

Definitely don't spend money yet! I've done quite a bit of research so far and haven't spent any money except for some stamps and the $50 to petition the Ohio Probate Court. And to be honest, there really isn't anything those search companies can do until you have a birth name to research. They will come up empty-handed until then.

Do you know what agency handled your adoption? Have you requested your non-ID info from them? That is a definite starting place.

Post a message on the Ohio board here, we have a wonderful angel there named Mackie - she can give you all kinds of advice.

[BARLEWIS]

I am using Omnitrace to help me with my search. please contact me directly and I'd like to share with you my experience with them so far. lewis_16881@msn.com

[LAWilson923]

Hi - I'm Lisa. My mom has enlisted my help to find her birth son/ my birth brother. Unfortunately, PA is a closed records state and my mom has started a search with O.T. out of Florida. It will take up to a year IF they can find anything at all. Does anyone have any idea of where to start our own search in the meantime? We have his birth date, doctor name, birth name (would be different now of course) and the adoption attorney name. My mom was sent to the FCH in Pittsburgh (or Shady? something). Any help to point us in the right direction would be great. It's overwhelming trying to google search everything. Good luck to you all. I can't wait to meet my brother and introduce him to his 6 nephews and other sister...especially his mom who never wanted to give him up :/ They strong-armed her and she was too young to know how to fight them. His birth name was Jamie Lee Adams and his birth mother was Karen Jean Adams (during the finalized adoption she married the birth father and her name could be listed on adoption papers as Karen Jean Shaffer). Birth father name was Raymond Shaffer.

[Drywall]

Lisa....it's hard to know where anyone is in their story so sometimes info provided doesnt help all that much.

I would suggest you contact the court where his adoption was finalized. They can tell you how to get non-Id..If you should decide to petition the court they can tell you what needs to be done for that as well...

I wish you he best.