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Beginning Adoption Search FAQ
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What is FARR, what
information can you get from them, and how much will it cost?
FARR is the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry, the passive registry run by
the Florida Dept. of Children & Families, formerly HRS. What this
means is that while FARR will accept your registration and release contact
info in the event of a match, they do no active searching themselves.
There is a $35
fee to register with FARR, and more details plus contact information can
be found here.
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Once you register
with FARR, what happens if the person you're searching for registers too?
FARR will contact both parties to be sure that they are still
open to contact, and if both parties are, contact information will be
released to both parties, and it will be up to them to make first contact.
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What information can I get from the private
agency that handled my adoption, how do I contact them, and how much will it cost?
You can obtain non identifying information from private agencies.
The amount of information that is given, and the level of detail of that
information can differ greatly, depending on how much info that agency has
on file, and also depending on the person handling the request. Most
often you will receive general information concerning health, physical
appearance, family structure, level of education, hobbies and
interests. All private agencies charge a fee for non identifying
information, but this also varies, depending on the agency.
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Why does FARR have to go through Vital Statistics
for information about the adoption?
FARR goes through Vital Statistics because they are the agency having records of all
births in the state of Florida. FARR must verify that you or the person you are searching
for was actually born in the state.
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What is ISRR?
ISSR stands for International Soundex Reunion Registry. ISRR is the
largest free reunion registry in the United States and it also contains
international registrations from around the world. There is no fee
requirement, but a small donation is appreciated to help keep the registry
open. You will find a registration form as well as instructions for
filling it out on the ISSR site.
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What is a form SS-5 and how would it benefit me?
The SS-5 form is an application for a copy of a deceased person's
original application for a social security number. The most important
information that it contains is the names of the deceased parents and where
the deceased was living when the application for social security card
applied for. This may be beneficial in tracking other members of the
deceased's family who are related to you by birth. The fee for
requesting a copy of the SS-5 is $27.00. See a sample
letter of request.
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What is a waiver of confidentiality?
A waiver of confidentiality is a document which.....let's define it for
everyone. At end of definition -- Sample of adoptee
waiver of confidentiality. Sample of birthparent
waiver of confidentiality.
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How can I obtain a copy of my original birth certificate?
It is now possible for adoptees from Florida who have found their birth
families to obtain their original birth certificates. The adoptee
must (1) Get affidavits from all living parents (adoptive parents and birth
parents) listed on the birth certificate. The affidavit needs to express
that the parent who is signing it has no objection to the adoptee getting
the birth records. (2) The adoptee writes his/her own affidavit asking for
the records. (3) In the event that there is a deceased parent, a copy
of the death certificate must be submitted. If any parents name has changed
due to marriage/divorce, provide proof of the name change. Mail all
affidavits and additional documentation to:
Lorraine Kratz
Florida Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 359-6675
NOTE: The affidavits do not need to be written by an attorney, but they must
be notarized by a Notary Public.
The adoptee and the parents should include a phone number where they can be
contacted, the adoptee should use a daytime number.
(The above information comes directly from the:Office of Vital Statisics
of Florida.
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How do I search newspaper archives?
Searching through newspaper archives in a city pertinent to your adoption
information can be a very successful venture if: (1) You are an adoptee who
was removed from parental custody due to abuse, neglect, etc. (2) If
you are an adoptee and there was a long period between your date of birth
and your relinquishment/adoption. (3) If you are an adoptee who
has found a "name" (i.e. birth-name for yourself or that of a
birth relation).
Most larger news papers are now archiving their info online but usually
charge a fee to research, retrieve, copy, and mail the information. Things
such as marriages, divorces, and obituaries can sometimes be found in open
access by using a search engine like "Google" if they were
published since 1995 or so.
If you can not afford to have the paper retrieve the data for you try the
public library closest to the newspaper's city of publication. Many times
libraries have volunteer staff available to do the research for you if you
can't get there in person. If they have no volunteer available you can find
one of your own by emailing local churches, philanthropic clubs, and schools
with a request for assistance. You'd be surprised how many kind folks are
out there.
The University of Florida in
Gainesville archives the majority of newspapers that have been published in
Florida dating back as far as the 1920's on some of them. They are on
microfilm, but are easy to read. The archive is housed in the Main
Library Annex at Gainesville. The staff will not only use a library aide to
research the archives for you, but, if you prefer to do the search yourself
and you are not close to the Gainesville area, the films can be borrowed
through inter library loan to your local library's main facility. All
you need to do if you want to research something is to have a general idea
of when it would have been published and what newspaper you suspect it would
have been in. If they have the newspaper archived they will pull the film
from the archive and loan it to your library and you can do your own
research.
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How can I use message boards in my search?
If you have non identifying
information or identifying info but haven't been able to "find",
you can use online message boards related to the geographic area of your
search but not related to adoption topics. Do a Google search on
"message board so&so city" and post your search message to
sites that come up. This can be any site, regardless to the stated
topic. Open your message with "Off Topic, Please excuse this
intrusion" and most moderated boards will let you message through. This
sounds like a long shot, but it has worked in the past.
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How do I trace someone when they have moved
and mail comes back as undeliverable?
OLD LAWYERS TRICK.....send the letter again. This time, on the left
side of the envelope write "Do not forward, Forwarding address
requested". Highlight the two sentences in yellow. If there
is a forwarding address on file, the post office will generally return it to
you with the forwarding address on it.
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Who can I contact for information on Booth baby adoptions?
Astrid Steinsland
Caseworker
Booth Hospital Records Ministry
The Salvation Army
10 W. Algonquin Rd.
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
(763) 479-2010
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Who can I contact for information about Florence Crittenton homes in Florida?
Children's Home Society, Buckner Division
P.O. Box 5616
Jacksonsonville, Florida 32247
Attn: William Shetler
P: 904-348-2811
F: 904-348-2818
Bill.Shetler@chsfl.org
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What services can I get from Children's Home Society?
- Non-identifying background/medical information from existing record - $150
- A search for either updated medical information or for reunion between two agreeing
triad members, provided the searching adoptee is age 18 or older, or the adoptee being
searched for by a birth parent is age 21 or older - $450
- Non-identifying information plus a search - $600
NOTE: Since the Waiting List for these services is so long (approximately 10 to 11 months),
these fees are not required to be paid until about two months before the case can be
assigned to a caseworker.
There is no charge to update contact and medical information. Simply email, write or phone
the CHS Adoption Archives.
If your adoption was through Children's Home Society and you are unsure of the date of birth
of the adoptee, CHS can do a date of birth search for you. Their usual fee for this is $25 to
open the record plus ¼ of an hour of casework time (which is $18.75 based on a $75 per hour rate);
this totals $43.75.
Adoption Archives Unit
The Children's Home Society of Florida
Post Office Box 10097
Jacksonville, FL 32247-0097
PHONE: 904/493-7780 [direct line to Unit]
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Who do I contact for information on military personnel?
US Military Worldwide Locator Service
US Army (317) 542-4211
US Air Force (210) 652-5774
US Navy (703) 614-9221
US Marine Corps (703) 640-3942
If a name is known, and that person is
deceased, you can try requesting records from St. Louis.
This website
has the form to use for this request, as well as further information
on who can request and what can be given. The requesting party must be
next-of-kin or have written permission from next-of-kin.
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I've tried searching and can't find on my
own. Should I hire a paid searcher?
While there are a number of reputable and sometimes very successful
searchers available, you have to be very careful when considering hiring a
paid searcher, as there are also many people out there eagerly waiting to
take your money, without ever doing anything to earn it. NEVER hire a
paid searcher without asking for references and checking them out
thoroughly. Talk to people you know. Find out if they know
anyone capable. Post to lists you belong to, asking for
feedback. Take your time, and be very sure about the honesty and
reliability of anyone you hire, before handing them any money.
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Do I really need to
keep a search journal and what do I put in it?
It is important to stay organized while searching, and to keep
track of what you have already done, and what you plan to do, so keeping a
journal is helpful. It's also a good idea to document your thoughts
and feelings while searching. Doing so helps you to work through
search related issues, and gives you a written account of your search that
you may be very happy to have once your search is done. |
How much does it cost
to join a registry? Why do some sites say they are free, but once you're
registered there, they want to charge a fee?
Other than FARR, which has a $35 registration fee, you should avoid any sites
that charge a fee. If a registry doesn't specify whether there is a fee, it's best
to contact the registry owner to check, before registering. There are many reputable
online registries that accept registrations at no charge to the registrant.
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How do I go about petitioning the court, do I
need a lawyer for this, and how much will it cost?
Petitioning the court can be done by an adoptee or a birth parent. In order to do
this, you must contact the court in the county in which the adoption was finalized.
Request all forms necessary in order to petition to unseal adoption records. You
do not need an attorney for this process. You will simply fill out the paperwork and
file it with the court in question. There will be a small filing fee, which can differ
from county to county. If you are not residing in Florida, you can still petition the
court, and it is possible to have the hearing conducted through a conference call.
Contact the court in the county of finalization for further details.
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What is a DMV list and how can I use it?
A DMV list is a listing of all males or females born on a
certain date. This can be helpful to a searching birth family member
seeking an adoptee. Generally these lists contain all males/females in
the state with a particular birthday. A generic letter sent to
everyone on that list can locate the person that you are searching
for.
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Was information, including dates of
birth, sometimes changed on birth certificates in Florida?
Private adoptions handled by doctors and attorneys, most
specifically black and gray market adoptions, are the ones in which existing
records and information are open to question. Florida has a long
history of black and gray market adoptions, and in these cases information
was often falsified, and should in no way be assumed to be true. If,
however, your adoption was handled by a reputable agency, with Children's
Home Society and Catholic Charities being two of the most active, you can
feel confident in the accuracy of the information on your birth
certificate. No matter who handled the adoption, keep in mind that the
information that reputable agencies place on the paperwork is only as good
as the information they are given by the birth parent or the parent's
guardian. Not all were truthful.
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