1. Keep a copy of their original birth certificates. When an adoption is finalized a new birth certificate is generally issued. The original birth certificate generally becomes a sealed document kept by vital records. In approximately 26 states, a court order is still required to obtain a copy of an original birth certificate.
2. Keep a copy of the original court documents. We have a copy of the adoption petition and finalization order. In nearly all states, records from adoption proceedings are sealed and difficult to obtain.
3. The Central Adoption Registry. Our children were born in Texas which uses the Central Adoption Registry system. Our adoption agency provides adoptive parents and birth parents the necessary information needed to use the Central Adoption Registry. The registry system provides adult adoptees, birth parents and biological siblings the ability to locate one another without the court system which can be costly and time consuming. We have this information which is kept in our boy's adoption boxes. When our sons reach adulthood they will be able to use the registry.
If your state does not use an adoption registry there are other registries available. Visit adoption.com to read about their adoption registry.
Anything you can do to assist your children in locating their biological family members someday I am certain they will appreciate.
If you would like to learn more on obtaining adoption records visit these sites:
Texas Adoption Registry
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Search your State Statutes regarding adoption records
Vital Records
