Adoptees and their birth parents and relatives who were separated by adoption may decide to search for each other at some point during their lives. If their search is successful, some will pursue meeting their birth relatives. This section is designed to address the concerns of both adoptees who are searching for birth parents or other birth relatives, as well as birth parents (both mothers and fathers) who want to locate a child who was adopted.
From Face-to-Face to Facebook: The Role of Technology and Social Media in Adoptive Family Relationships With Birth Family Members
Black, Moyer, & Goldberg (2016)
Adoption Quarterly, 19(4)
View Abstract
Discusses how new technology and social media have changed when, how, and how much adoptive and birth families communicate. Learn about questions this raises around boundaries and contact.
How Adoption Professionals Can Support Adult Adoptees’ Search for Information
Jarema (2017)
Adoption Advocate, 104
Gives suggestions on how professionals can help adult adoptees in their search and reunion efforts.
International Search and Reunion: A Conversation With Susan Soonkeum Cox
Cox (2015)
Adoption Advocate, 90
Presents a conversation with a Korean adoptee that addresses her decision to search for her birth family, steps that she took to find her birth mother, support she received while going through the search, and her reunion with her siblings. Also discussed are the difficulties some international adoptees encounter when searching for their families.
National Adoption and Directory Search
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Access State-specific birth family and adoptee search support groups.
To Search or Not to Search
Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families & Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (2015)
Discusses the benefits and challenges of searching for birth parents and examines the reasons for searching, including a curiosity about the past, a sense of loss, and the need to know one's medical and genetic history.