[thesearchguru]

Welcome to the Search and Reunion Message Board!

For adoption related information and records:
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Division of Human Services
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 898-7707
Toll Free: (800) 922-2504
Fax: (803) 898-7792

Non-Identifying Information: An adopted adult, birth parents and adoptive parents can receive information at the discretion of the CEO of the adoption agency.

Identifying Information: An adopted adult age 21 or older can receive information on the birth parents and birth siblings, and birth parents and birth siblings can receive information regarding the adopted adult if affidavits with consent to release information have been filed with an agency. The agency must maintain a registry containing the affidavits of consent. All who register must go through counseling with the agency.

Using the South Carolina Adoption Registry: The following persons may use the adoption registry: adopted adults, birth parents and birth siblings either through the agency or State.

Contact:
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Adoption Reunion Registry
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 734-6095
(800) 922-2504

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


Other great websites to check out:
Adoption.com Forums
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

[alyce garfman]

I was a private adoption in Columbia S.C. I contacted the S.C.D.S.S. some months ago for non-identifing ID and the person I spoke with said that they could not help because my adoption was private.
Can you give me some other pointers?
Why do they make this so difficult?
Thanks,
baby Lee

[thesearchguru]

In my opinion, regardless of the fact that you were a private adoption, this agency is the governing agency for ALL adoptions in South Carolina and therefore has a responsibility to provide you with the resource that can supply you with non-identifying information from your adoption file. You do have non-identifying information and they do know how to access it.

South Carolina Department of Social Services
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 898-7707
Toll Free: (800) 922-2504



Adoption Genealogist


http://www.adoptionforums.com
http://www.adoptionchat.com
http://www.adoptionlists.com
http://www.adoption.com
http://www.adopting.org
http://www.adoptionregistry.com

[alyce garfman]

Thank you for your response. I'll give it another shot.
still hopeful,

[ashesofyou]

I'm also a private adoption, I called in attempt to put my name on the mutual concent regestry (in hopes that my birthfather would look there if he is searching) well... they gave me a run around and a half.

First they said that there was no such a thing in South Carolina, that the only thing I could do is petition the courts to have my file opened.

Then they said that since it was a private adoption, I have to contact the attorney who handled it. (who is dead I might add... so is the judge). Then they said, nearly three breaths after telling me that SC HAS NO concent regestry, that the SC regestry only handles public adoption cases.

I'm grasping at straws here...

[alyce garfman]

well I'm glad to hear that I am not going crazy and I am not the only one who can't seem to get answers from the S.C.D.S.S. I still can't understand why they make it soooo difficult for us. Don't they understand.S.C.D.S.S. bombs away

[ashesofyou]

You're definately not alone in this. It's almost like they think it's actually their job to give us the run-around. And without lawyers etc. how do we actually know for sure what info is where, and how we can get to it? SCDSS has always been a pain in the you know what SS.

Any ideas on who to go to?

My problem is... I can't find anyone who my b.mother hung around with... I just don't know where to go next, and with all the dead ends from the state agencies, I feel like the next step would be to bang my head against the wall.

ARGH!

[ashesofyou]

I e-mailed corf@dss.state.sc.us and got this response today... Just thought I would share it with the board, maybe it will help save other's some time. I assume most adoptees feel the same as I do... any info is precious, and needs to be shared... thank you very much for the links, and the information searchguru!!!

The text of the e-mail reads:


You may telephone Debra Kent at 803-898-7460 for information. The Department has records of adoptions completed through the Children's Bureau of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Social Services. We do not have records of private adoptions, however, Ms. Kent can give you the names of
private organizations that assist adoptees with searching for information.

[alyce garfman]

[color=darkblue]Do you live in S.C.? Do you know your bparents names? I was raised and live in N.Y. so, it makes it that much harder for me to get info. I feel like I need to be phyically in the town I was born to get anything. I can't even seem to get my non-id. I feel alone sometimes and I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with my search. I have a search angel that offered help some months ago but, I don't seem to get any answers from them. :confused:

[ashesofyou]

I know my birthmother's name, and have quite a bit of information about her. I've grown very close to her family... but my birthmother herself died in a car accident before I met her. I'm searching for my birthfather, or any other relatives on his side that wish to have contact. Her family wasn't really close to her after she left home, and it seems that no one really knows who her friends were, or how to get in touch with anyone who would know.

One of my b.mother's sisters claims to know who my birth father is, but won't give me "for sure" names. She claims to not remember for certain. (yeah right... this guy was supposed to have been her roomate at one time. don't think too many people share an apartment with someone and not know their last names)

SO... I'm banging my head against a brick wall most of us here are all too familiar with. I guess until the day comes that b.mother's sister decides to spill it, I'm out of luck. I've tried talking to her grave more than once, and for some reason, lol, it just doesn't hold up conversation very well.... guess that's a little morbid huh?

[curiouscarolina]

You say your birthmother's sister may hold the answer...I take it she is being unreasonable? The state of S.C. is a horrible state when it come to information on adoption...I feel for ya...I am in the beginings of my search...the Search Guru has gave me more information than, anyone I have contacted. Good luck on your search!

[ashesofyou]

Yes, she is the only person alive that I know for certain has the information I'm looking for. She won't budge off of it. Last I was in contact with her she made promises that she was going to send me the one picture of him that she has, and that she was making attempts to contact him. She has not followed through with those promises, and will not give me any information to search on my own.
I am very disheartened and have thrown my hands up in disgust more than once. My current efforts concentrate on the attorneys who handled my end of the case, and my adopted parents end of the case. My adopted parents have been so suportive of my efforts, and have helped me with all they know. I just wish I could say the same for my birthmother's family.

Thank you for your reply. Sorry for hijacking the thread!

[tricia3]

Have you tried to get acces to the deceased lawyers files? I know a girl that found her records that way. They were stored in a mini-storage. Just a thought. Good Luck. Tricia

[alyce garfman]

How do you go about getting deceased attorney files?

[tricia3]

I'm not exactly sure what she told them, but I believe she spoke to the lawyers sec. and she ask the wife and the wife said she could go thru the records. I guess it all depends on the circumstances. I also recommend petitioning the court for the release of the original b.c. You would need to check on the
laws in your state, but this is what I did. It did not cost me anything, but every state is different. Tricia
PS I read a post somewhere on this forum about a lady that found her records in the garage of her deceased lawyer's home. Hey, when I was searching I was willing to try anything.