[stephaniemarie]

I was adopted thru Catholic charities of DC in 1966. I was told by CC it could take 6-12 months for a motion to unseal my records to make its way through the system. To make matters worse, an adoption attorney in DC has told me DC has some of the most restrictive and regressive rules withe regard to this issue and basically no petitions are approved unless a significant medical need is proven.

Has anyone had an experience with this in the DC Courts? I am very, very new to this, just decided to search for the first time in 44 years and am deeply disappointed to learn this. Not really sure what to do........

[dancingzorba]

Is there a way to get non-identifying info? I know in Ontario we can do that, although we fortunately as of last year had a law change opening up the original birth certs with a veto option for both sides.

In my case the non-identifying info was in the form of a blacked out government file. Besides the uber cool factor it gave me insights into things like cultural heritage, family structures and that sort. Naturally it wasn't useful to find anyone without a original birth certificate.

Another alternative is to look into either serach angels of private investigators who specialise in adoption searches. They have tools and resources we could never hope to have access to. The beauty about them is that they understand the sensitive nature of our searches. The only thing I would say is that you have to vet your searcher because you will have to give your identity to them. Naturally this is something that in the age of identity theft and soulless scam artists that we need to keep our guards up.

You can also register in reunion registries online usually via the government.

I know how you feel though because the law in Ontario should have been happening a few years back but was only active for 2 weeks before a judge struck it down due to no veto option. There was no word as to whether the law was to be amended and that was like someone punched me in the stomach. I gather that is how you feel right now.

Two things: 1) if you want it bad enough, you will find a way even if it takes the rest of your life so keep you head up and the faith too 2) you can't let this control your life, I let it send me into a month long tail spin. It does you no good to be in that state.

Good luck!

[stephaniemarie]

Thanks for your advice and kind words Dancingzorba. I am currently waiting for my non-id info requested from the agency that handled my adoption, Catholic Charities. I went ahead and sent my petition to the DC courts along with a cover letter in hopes someone would find it in them to unseal the record. What do I have to lose? The worst they can do is say no.

In the meantime, I think I'm doing a pretty good job not letting this invade too much of my life. I am spending more time than before online searching registries and just reading different sites and message boards however and am trying to only allow myself 30 minutes a day to do so.

Thank you again and good luck on your journey

[dancingzorba]

I had to laugh when you mentioned the 30 minute limit! I am going something like that too!

Glad you will at least get the non-identifying info. For me before I knew the law was changing in Ontario, that was a big boost. It gives you a bare bones of your history.

AS for the petition, good on you! You are absolutely right, it's like anything. What happens if you don't try? NOTHING.

Good luck with the courts.