How to find my brother who was put up for adoption?

Question

I am looking to find my older brother who was put up for adoption when he was 3 in 1981 against my mums wishes. I was wondering if anybody knows how we can go about that. We don't have the money for websites asking for money.

All we know is Is Original Name but not his adoption name

We don't know if it was changed.

My mum wouldn't hand over his birth certificate so she still has that

So would the copy they had to get be the same as our one

We have the adoption certificate

And my mum has remarried so her last name has changed would that affect his chances of finding her

any help or advice would be appreciated

Answer 1

Where are you located?  This makes a difference regarding what is available to help you out.  If he was adopted, it is more than likely that his last name was changed, but possibly not his first name.  There is always the chance that he wasn't adopted.  I expected that my siblings had been adopted, but it turned out that they weren't.  

As for your mother's name, one thing that adopted citizens know is that it is harder to find a first mother whose name has changed with marriage.  We expect it to be a good possibility, but it is harder.  I would strongly suggest that she use her maiden name when signing up with any reunion registries.  

Because birth certificates are usually altered following an adoption to reflect the adoptive parents' information, when your brother applies for a copy of his birth certificate, he receives the altered one.  However, your brother may be able to receive a copy of the original birth certificate.  If he was adopted in the UK, he can likely get it.  If he was adopted in the US, it depends on which state the adoption took place as to whether or not he can get it.

You say you have the adoption certificate.  Does it give you any clues as to who the adoptive parents are?  

One thing you'll want to do is sign up with the International Soundex Reunion Registry at http://isrr.net.  It is the largest reunion registry in the world.  Be sure to use your mother's maiden name when you're giving information, as it will be the name he'll get off of the original birth certificate if he has it or gets it.

Answer 2

Without knowing where your brother was born - I can't give you absolute specifics - but here are the places to look around online to start a search.

First - add your details to the registries here

http://www.isrr.net/

http://registry.adoption.com/

Check for information on your state records here -

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/?...

Check here for search help - and links to free search angels -

http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org/

All the very best with your search.

Answer 3

Much will depend on the state where the adoption took place. Some states like NY seal the records. Others like Oregon have open records.

In the 80s, I placed a child for adoption in California. Technically, California gives only non-identifying information to the adoptee.  However, my son was able to find me because someone made a mistake and sent out ALL the info...a blessed "mistake" in my book because he could use that and he then searched online and found me and we were reunited this year!

You could sign up for online adoption search websites. You shouldn't have to pay anyone to do work you can do yourself.

Not sure how much info they'll give to siblings, though. So hopefully both birth mom and adopted mom will cooperate.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

I agree with previous posters. Every state has different rules and regulations.  How much information you can obtain all depends on state (or province) law.  

And search services should not cost huge amounts of money. Especially for-profit commercial websites.  Government and adoption agency records may cost though if you need to go that route.

Answer 5

if you know, try going back to the adoption agency you went to they will know but thats all i can say as i dont know much more about it