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Adoptive Parent/Child Search offered at Washington Adoption Reunion Movement

Adoptive Parent/Child Search offered at Washington Adoption Reunion Movement

Maintains a free registry for all adults seeking reunion with family members who were separated in the past.   Referrals are made to the International Soundex Reunion Registry. Area support contacts available throughout Washington state.    Search Process:   -  Offers non-court search/reunion conducted with identifying information that has been provided by the client.   -  A confidential intermediary is available. -  The court appoints a Washington Adoption Reunion Movement (WARM) volunteer intermediary under an oath of confidentiality, and the adoption files are opened to them. -  The confidential intermediary then conducts the search.   -  When the relative has been located, they must obtain a signed consent form for the parties to be reunited. - DNA analysis is available. -  If they are unable to get a signed consent form, the files are again closed.   -  These procedures are detailed in a law passed by the Washington State Legislature (July, 1990).   " WARM Journeys" newsletter is published twice a year regarding WA reunions and information from other organizations around the country. Original birth certificates for adult adoptees available from the State Department of Health.

Physical Address

5950 6th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108

Hours

M W F, 10am-5pm Tu Th, 9:30am-3pm.

Application process

Only accepts appointments by phone. CANNOT visit in person. Call or e-mail to request an application for confidential intermediary. Support contacts are open to the public.

Fee

A court search for legal access to the sealed records for anyone born or adopted in the state of Washington, is $400.   A non-court search, when the client has documented identifying information, ranges between $200-$300. There is no charge to register on the WARM Birth Index.

Eligibility

Applicants must be ages 21 and older to search for birthparents (younger with adoptive parents support).   Birthparents can search only for adult adoptees older than age 21. There may be exceptions to the age requirement.   No restrictions for support contacts.

Agency info

Washington Adoption Reunion Movement

Petitions counties in the state of Washington for adoption records and provides confidential intermediaries to search, locate and contact adult adoptees and birthparents. Also offers support groups for adult adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and other birth family members. Provides possible resources for those born out of state.