An adoption reunion registry is a formal mechanism through which adoptees and their birth families can attempt a reunion.

Generally, such registries exist only in countries which practise closed adoption, i.e. adoption in which the full identities of the birth parents and the adopting family are not disclosed.

Though many such institutions are operated by government agencies, many private and amateur registries do exist, and can be found on the Web.

Some reunion registries run by governmental agencies have access to the original documents identifying a birth family or adopting family. In general, adoptees must be adults before they may be given identifying information, or at least age 18. In the United States, state law governs whether such an institution may release this identifying information to the interested party. Some states have an adoption registry, in which both the adopted adult and birthparent must register before information will be provided. In other states, if the adoptee requests information, the organization will contact the birth parent and request consent for a reunion.

External links

• Adoption Reunion Registries