[Lifesabeach]

I keep reading all these postings and am amazed at all the people that know their "Birth Names!" and have their original Birth Certificates!!! How? Is this information that was given to you by your adoptive parents?

WoW! I've had to scrounge for what little information I could receive----my adoptive parents never mentioned anything about a birth name or original birth certificate!! I'm really syarting to wonder how much more there is that I dont know!!! How can I find all this out...(Keep in mind, my aparents are both deceased...no family around!) StinkS!!! GIves new meaning to the phrase :Feeling alone."

Thanks!

[marissah0830]

I am not sure how it works. I don't have my birth name or original certificate. I think it has to do with what state you were born in. I was born in Washington DC and they have strict laws against adoptees knowing certain information. I have my non identifying info but thats all that they will give me. Any more information and I would have to petition the courts to open my records. And that is not easy.

Good luck- hope it helped.

Marissa

[Flanaganak]

Hi,
I just wanted you to know that I recevied my birth name in my non-identitfying information packet Catholic Charities. I guess everyone's info is different. I even receveid the first names of my birthmother and father!
Anne

[marissah0830]

Hey That's wonderful! Washington DC has some of the strictist laws against adoptees.

Wish you all the best. If you decide to contact them- I hope it goes well. If you do and you want to share- I'd love to hear about it.

[Flanaganak]

I was born in New Jersey and there are some pretty strict laws there as well.
After almost 5 years of searching I just my non-id info two weeks ago. This is grueling!
Anyway, GOOD LUCK to you as well!!
By the way I live just outside of DC!
Bye,
Anne

[Lifesabeach]

I recently received my non identifying info too...from Catholic Charities in VA. There was no Birth Name or Bio parents names on that as well. Is that something we request or what? you would think if one Catholic Charities send bparents names, it would be standard that ALL Catholic Charities would do the same. I feel like I'm getting the royal run around from CC. I really think its absolutle absurd the crap we have to go through to find all this info out! What ever happened to our Constitutional Rights? Or do they become "void" because we are adopted. It also infuriates me that we have to pay ANYTHING to have any information given to us. Heck, the agencies already received their huge amount of money when the actual adoption took place from the aparents! why do they now get to collect from us? Seems they're making out BIG in the end!

Sorry....don't meen to vent. Had a horrible day and this whole process sucks and is really unfair!

L.

[moonstar]

Maybe it depends on when you were born, or where.
When I gave up my son they didn't even want me to see him.
They wouldn't let his dad in delivery.
It, supposedly, made it easier to sign the papers.
That was in 1978

[Flanaganak]

I certainly agree with you, Lifesabeach. I had to pay CC $100- for my non-id info, I think I was just lucky to get so much info.
It does seem like a whole lot of money for someone to give you information that's yours to begin with!
A few years ago the fees were half, today it's going to cost me $900 to start a search. So, I'll have to wait....a loooong time since that kid of moeny doesn't grow on trees.
But, Good Luck in your search. I always believe, if it's meant to be it will be!

[l-thompson]

Some of us are luckier than others with the information we have.
My birthname is on the final adoption order issued by the state - this was in Toronto. It says..."The child know as (my first name, middle name and surname) will be now known as the child of......and will be known as (the name given to me by my adoptive parents)
I was fortunate to have that order. I was lucky that my a/parents gave it to me when I came of age. I was also lucky that that was in 1964 as shortly after I believe birth names were no longer included on the adoption order.

When I received my non-id it told me what I already knew. Interesting though, my non id only contained my birth first name and middle name...there was no mention of a surname so when they refer to this info as non-identifying they are absolutely right because there was nothing contained in it that could give me a clue as to who my birthparents were.

I really think its a crime for adoptees to have to pay for their basic birthright........

[marissah0830]

I was born in 1966 in D.C. and they do everything they can to hide information that would identify my bparents. I don't even have my name that was given to me at birth. Just medical information and the "story" of how I came to be.

I can't remember how much I paid for my non-ident. info back in 1997 but I don't think it's alot.

A few states now allow the adoptees to see their records. Washington D. C. is one of the strictist states and there are hardly any rights for the adoptees. I would have to petition the courts to open my records, to get my birth certificate etc. And they usually won't do that unless your need is medical.

I know people who fight hard for the rights of adoptees. They go around the country speaking. So there are people out there trying to help.