What exactly is non-identifying information?

Question

And how does one get hold of it?

Answer 1

I got mine through the State, who in turn, got it from the agency who handled my adoption, the Dept of Vital Statistics and the courts where my adoption was finalized.

Wow, all those people can look at MY information, but it is off-limits to me pfffttt  how dehumanizing

Some States will even insist you that you have your adoptive parents' permission to obtain information about your origins (yes, even if you are 40 years old you have to ask Mommy and Daddy!)  the United States does not allow us Adoptees to grow up.  We are eternal children in the eyes of the law!

I got mother and father's age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, nationality, level of education, health at the time of relinquishment.

I know for a fact that  my mother named me Heather but even so the State not only blacked out my parents names but they also blacked out MY name.

The whole system is infantalizing, humiliating and completely discriminatory against adoptees who are not treated as equal citizens to those who were not adopted as children.

WAKE UP AMERICA - it's time to end the stigma of adoption!

Answer 2

Hi Query Weary,

Non-identifying information is a description of your natural family without revealing exactly who they are.  For instance, ages, height, hair & eye color, religions, nationalities, occupations, all might be included.  Sometimes narrative descriptions of their reasons for relinquishment or family history & background are included.  Names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. are considered identifying information and would not be included.

This information is supposed to be collected and saved by whoever arranges an adoption.  This could be a private agency or state department.  Your info is supposed to be legally available to the adoptee upon request.  An adoptee could write to the agency or whoever handled the adoption and state that they would like to have information on their backgrounds and natural families.  You might want to locate the agency's phone number & call them first to verify what information they would need from you & what procedures you should follow in order to obtain what you are requesting.  By law, that info is supposed to be sent to the adoptee within 30 days of the request.

The reason I said "supposed to" is because although that is what the adoptee is supposed to receive, it often times does not happen.  Social workers are notorious for omitting information, giving erroneous information, or for not sending out the information at all.  Sometimes they will use excuses like those records were destroyed, or those records were moved to another location, or we cannot locate your records.  It's debatable how much effort is really put forth in that area on their part.  Sometimes adoptions were not completed in a totally legal manner and that is why there is a problem locating the information.  Sometimes they will claim they never received your request, even if you sent them multiple ones.  That is why I would recommend having it sent by registered mail, return receipt requested.  On the other hand, occassionally a lucky adoptee will receive more information than what was expected, such as actual names, most likely due to clerical error than good intentions on their part.

Besides the obvious fact that adoptees should be allowed all of their information, not just the non-identifying information, go ahead and request more information than what you believe you will receive.  It never hurts to ask.  If you encounter challenges on them delivering your info, you might need to remind them that you are aware that they have 30 days to accomodate your request.  The state of Florida, for example, currently claims that they are too busy to handle any requests these days, so they are totally ignoring all requests from adoptees.  That also applies to their duty of search/reunion efforts.  However, they are still cashing checks from hopeful adoptees, and not acknowledging payment nor coming forth with the information.

If you provide us with more information with your specific state, we could probably assist you further.  Good luck,  I do hope you are successful in obtaining yours.

julie j

reunited adoptee