Adoption
Record Search
Special conditions and limitations apply
to each type of search. A caring professional social worker at
Catholic Charities is available to discuss your situation and
the options available to you.
For the following services/requests, please contact
Jennifer Dawid 203-235-1058, Ext. 17
For Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Ansonia and Milford Areas
Nadine Behmke 203-596-9359, Ext. 228
For New Britain, Waterbury and Torrington Areas
Who can search?
The following people may request an adoption
record search in the State of Connecticut:
Adult adoptee Confidential telephone inquiry
Non-Identifying Information:
An adoptee, age 18 or older, can request non-identifying background
and medical information. The information shared is from data
in the original case record. Catholic Charities requires that
such a request be made in a notarized letter with two photocopied
forms of I.D. attached, one of which must be a photo I.D. A
fee of $150.00 is charged for this service.
Search:
An adoptee, age 18 or older, can request a search to locate his/her
birthparent(s). Catholic Charities is required to search for
the birthparent(s) and to request his/her/their written consent
and agreement to participation in the search/reunion process.
A search request must be in the form of
a notarized letter with two photocopied forms of I.D. attached,
one of which must be a photo I.D. An in-person interview may
be required. A $300.00 fee will be requested when the search
is opened.
Adoption Reunion Registry:
The agency maintains an "Adoption Reunion Registry" in
which an adoptee, age 18 or older, can register. This form is
maintained in the adoptee’s file and serves as a waiver
of confidentiality should the birthparent contact the agency
for identifying information. Registration forms are available
from the agency and must be notarized. There is no fee for this
service.
Birthparent Confidential telephone inquiry
Non-Identifying Information:
Birthparents can request a copy of the information they provided
to the agency at the time they made a plan of adoption for
their child. They can update their record; however, the adoptee
will not be notified. Information remains in the record and
is given only if the adoptee or adoptive parent of a child
under 18 years of age requests it. The request must be made
in a notarized letter with two forms of photocopied I.D. attached,
one of which must be a photo ID There is no fee for this service.
Search:
As of October 1, 1995, birthparents whose parental rights were
terminated may initiate a search for their birthchild who is
18 years of age or older. If both birthparents were involved
in the adoption plan, both must consent to the search in order
to protect confidentiality. Putative fathers may initiate a
search with written consent from the birthmother.
A search request must be written in the
form of a notarized letter with two forms of photocopied ID attached,
one of which must be a photo ID. A $300.00 fee will be requested
when the search is opened. An in-person interview may be required.
Adoption Reunion Registry:
The agency maintains an "Adoption Reunion Registry" in
which birthparents can register. This form is maintained in the
birthparent’s file and serves as a waiver of confidentiality
should the adoptee contact the agency for identifying information.
Birthfathers may register only if they were legal party to the
termination of parental rights or with the birthmother’s
consent. Registration forms are available from the agency and
must be notarized. There is no fee for this service.
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Adoptive
parent Confidential telephone inquiry
Non-Identifying Information:
In Connecticut, since 1977, all adoptive parents have received
written, standardized, non-identifying background and medical
information prior to the finalization of their child’s
adoption. Information shared is from data in the original record.
Adoptive families who did not receive such information can
request it prior to their adopted child’s 18th birthday.
After the 18th birthday, a request must be submitted by the
adoptee. A fee of $150.00 is charged for this service. The
request must be in the form of a notarized letter with two
photocopied forms of I.D. attached, one of which must be a
photo I.D.
Identifying Information:
Catholic Charities cannot release identifying information to
the adoptive parents regarding their adoptive child’s
birthparent(s).
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Biological
sibling of adoptee Confidential telephone inquiry
Search:
The adult biological sibling of an adult adoptee (age 18 or older)
can request a search to locate his/her adopted sibling. Catholic
Charities is required to search for the sibling and to request
his/her written consent and agreement to participation in
the search/reunion process. The written consent of the birthparents
is required before we begin the search if their parental
rights were terminated prior to October 1, 1995. If parental
rights were terminated after October 1, 1995, written consent
of the birthparents is not required.
A search request must be in the form of a notarized
letter with two photocopied forms of ID attached, one of which
must be a photo ID An in-person interview may be required. There
may be a waiting list for this service and the $300.00 fee will
be requested when the search is opened.
Adoption Reunion Registry:
The agency maintains an "Adoption Reunion Registry" in
which an adult biological sibling of an adoptee can register.
This form is maintained in the adoptee’s file and serves
as a waiver of confidentiality should the adoptee contact the
agency for identifying information. Written consent of the birthparents
is required prior to relinquishing any identifying information
if the birthparents’ parental rights were terminated prior
to October 1, 1995. Registration forms are available from the
agency and must be notarized. There is no fee for this service.
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What's the law?
Catholic Charities adheres to the Search Law
Amendments effective October 1, 1995, contained within current
Connecticut Adoption Law (P.A. 95-179, H.5486).
All written requests for an adoption record search
should include as much information as possible (date of birth,
maiden name, etc.) in order to assist us to serve you better.
The agency endeavors to provide all requested
services in a timely manner. When search requests exceed service
capacity, a waiting list is established, with requests processed
in the order in which they are received.
All searches are conducted in an ethical and
professional manner. In the event that reasonable time and proper
procedures fail to locate such person or persons being sought,
the agency will assess the merits of continuing the endeavor
with the person who initiated the search. An additional fee will
be charged if the agency is authorized to continue the search.
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