Difference between revisions of "Adoption Registries"

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{{Dial-A-Law Blurb}}
{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [http://gov.bc.ca/mcfd Adoption Branch], Ministry of Children & Family Development|date= March 2018}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = children}}
People who have been adopted and their relatives can use '''adoption registries''' and reunion services to find one another and exchange information. Learn how British Columbia’s three adoption registries work.


{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = family}}
==Understand the legal framework==
This script explains the different adoption registries in BC. It includes information on:
*the Birth Father Registry
*making an “openness agreement” after a child has been adopted
*searching for an adopted child or birth parent


==Society’s attitudes toward adoption have changed over the years==
===There are registries to help connect people who have been adopted and their relatives===
Many people who were adopted want to know about their origins. Many birth mothers want to know how the child they placed for adoption is doing. And many adopted people and birth parents want to meet one another. In BC, several adoption registries exist to help connect birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees with each other. These include the following registries:
Society’s attitudes toward adoption have changed over the years. Many adopted people want to know about their birth parents. Many birth parents want to know how a child they placed for adoption is doing. Many adopted people and birth parents want to meet each other.  
*Birth Father Registry
*Post-Adoption Openness Registry
*Exchange Registry
*Adoption Reunion Registry


==What is the Birth Father Registry?==
In BC, there are '''registries''' that help connect people who have been adopted and their relatives.  
A biological father who registers with the Birth Father Registry is entitled to receive written notice of a proposed adoption placement, which gives him the opportunity to be involved in the planning for his child. The father can register any time before the birth and up to 150 days after the date that the child was placed. There’s no fee to register.


==What is the Post-Adoption Openness Registry?==
====Parents Registry====
Many people believe that adoption creates a permanent kinship network between birth and adoptive families, and that adoption shouldn’t sever relationships – it should create them. They believe that an on-going relationship with birth parents and other birth family members can help an adopted child develop a healthy sense of identity and belonging. The Post-Adoption Openness Registry is meant for birth parents, adoptive parents and relatives of an adopted child under the age of 19 who wish to communicate with each other after the child has been adopted, if no “openness agreement” was made before the adoption order. There are no fees to register.
Birth parents of a child placed for adoption can register with the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/birth-parents-registry Parents Registry] to receive notice of adoption details and be involved in the adoption planning. Parents can register any time before the child’s birth, and up to 150 days after the child was placed for adoption. There is no fee to register.


==How does the Post-Adoption Openness Registry work?==
====Post-Adoption Openness Registry====
Once an application is made, the registry is checked to see if there’s a match. For example, if both the adoptive parents and the birth mother register, then there’s a match. Registry staff will contact you to discuss the type of openness you want. You’ll be asked to arrange for a facilitator to help you reach an openness agreement acceptable to both of you – be it saving letters and photographs to give to the adopted child at a certain age, or a continuing exchange of letters or phone calls, or even visits.
Adoptive parents, birth parents or relatives of an adopted person can register for the opportunity to share information after an adoption order is granted for a child who is under 19 years old. By registering in the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/post-adoption-openness-registry Post-Adoption Openness Registry], they can exchange information and communicate with each other after the adoption. There are no fees to register.


In figuring out how much openness is best, the best interest of the child is the most important consideration. And participation is voluntary – both the adoptive parents and the birth mother or relatives must register.
====Adoption Reunion Registry====
The [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/adoption-reunion-registry Adoption Reunion Registry] connects people who have been adopted with their relatives for adoptions that took place in BC. Adopted adults can search for their birth parents or siblings. Birth parents who placed a child for adoption can start searching for them as soon as the child is age 19.  


An application to the Post-Adoption Openness Registry stays in effect until the adopted child reaches 19 years of age, at which time, if no match has been made, an application can be made to the Adoption Reunion Registry (discussed later in this script).
===How the Post-Adoption Openness Registry works===
Registering in the Post-Adoption Openness Registry gives adoptive parents, birth parents and other relatives the option of exchanging information after an adoption order is granted for a child who is under 19 years old. The information exchange may range from medical information, letters, cards and pictures, to the full exchange of names and addresses for direct contact.


==What is the Exchange Registry?==
====A successful match====
The Exchange Registry is used by people who have negotiated a non-identifying openness agreement, where the adoptive family and the birth family don’t communicate directly with each other, but through the registry. It facilitates communication between the adoptive family and the birth family as agreed to in their openness agreement. Communications are sent to the Exchange Registry, which redirects that to the other person or family. The Exchange Registry remains in effect until the adopted child turns 19. After that point, the adult adoptee or the birth family member can apply to the Adoption Reunion Registry to make direct contact with each other.
When you [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/post-adoption-openness-registry apply to register], the registry checks if there’s a match with anyone else involved in the adoption. For example, if the adoptive parents and the birth mother register, there’s a match. The registry will only contact parties if a match occurs.


==What is the Adoption Reunion Registry?==
====Reaching an openness agreement====
The Adoption Reunion Registry connects adopted adults with their birth families. This government registry can help if the adoption took place in BC. Everyone must be 19 or over – you must be an adult, and the person you want to connect with must also be an adult.
If there is a match, the registry will contact the parties to discuss the level of contact they want. The parties can opt for full disclosure and direct contact, or a non-identifying exchange of information. If one or both want a non-identifying exchange, a social worker will help them make an '''openness agreement'''.


The Adoption Reunion Registry operates two registries:
Any decision to enter into an openness agreement should be based on what is in the best interests of the adopted child. An openness agreement cannot be forced — it's based on voluntary cooperation of everyone involved.
*a Passive Registry
*an Active Registry


==How does the Passive Registry work?==
====How long registration lasts====
If you register your name, and the person you’re looking for also registers for contact with you on the Passive Registry, a match is made. A staff social worker will then contact both of you by letter or telephone and help you to make contact with each other.
An application to the Post-Adoption Openness Registry lasts until the adopted child reaches 19 years of age. Then, if no match has been made, an application can be made to the Adoption Reunion Registry.


==How does the Active Registry work?==
===How the Adoption Reunion Registry works===
After you register, staff will actively search for the person you want to locate. If they succeed, a social worker will then contact you to discuss the next step. If the person you’re looking for also wants a reunion, the social worker will explore with both of you the type of contact you want, i.e., letters, phone calls, or a meeting or visits in person. The social worker will stay involved for a limited period of time to assist in facilitating the contact.
The [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/adoption-reunion-registry Adoption Reunion Registry] connects people who have been adopted with their relatives for adoptions that took place in BC. Everyone involved must be age 19 or over when the connection is made.


==Who can apply to register on the Adoption Reunion Registry?==
The registry operates a passive registry and in some cases can help with an active search.
Adult adoptees, birth parents, birth siblings of an adopted adult and other birth relatives can all apply. There are different requirements, depending on who you are.


==You register by mail==
====Passive registry====
If you’re the adult adoptee or birth mother, you need to submit the following three documents:
For adoptions that happened in BC, people who have been adopted, birth parents, siblings and other relatives can register to connect with their birth relatives.


*A signed application form
The '''passive registry''' requires two parties looking for each other to register — a match is only made if both parties register. If there is a match, the registry will contact both parties and help them contact each other. 
*A copy of your birth certificate (as proof of your identity)
*The registration fee, unless the fee has been waived


If you are requesting an active search, you’ll also need to submit a copy of the original birth registration document and/or adoption order. These are obtained from the Vital Statistics Agency (information on how to get documents from the Vital Statistics Agency is explained later in this script). The original birth certificate and adoption order aren’t needed for a search on the Passive Registry.
====Active search====
The registry can help with an '''active search''' for a relative. They will first check if the relative is registered. If not, they will search for the person. If they find the person, the registry will contact them to discuss next steps. If the person also wants a reunion, the registry will discuss with both parties the options for communicating, such as letters, phone calls, a meeting, or visits in person.


If you’re the birth sibling of an adult adoptee or the biological father or other relative, there are other or different documents you have to submit. For example, if you’re the birth sibling of an adult adoptee (i.e., you’re looking for your birth sibling who was adopted), proof of death of the birth parent is required, for example, a copy of the deceased birth parent’s death certificate from Vital Statistics.
{| class="wikitable"
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
The Adoption Reunion Registry can provide brief counselling and support during the reunion search process. You may also seek other counselling through a local social services agency or a private therapist.
|}


==What does it cost to register?==
===Registering with the Adoption Reunion Registry===
There’s a $25 registration/processing fee to register with the Adoption Reunion Registry. If you want an active search on the Active Registry, you’ll be asked to submit an additional fee of $250. If it’s hard for you to pay these fees, you can request an income test. If you qualify, the fees will be reduced or waived.
You can apply to be registered with the Adoption Reunion Registry by:
*completing and mailing the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries/adoption-reunion-registry application form] to the registry
*paying the $25 fee to register (you can ask for it to be waived)


==Counselling is offered==
As well, you must submit additional documents that vary depending on who you are.
The social work staff at the Adoption Reunion Registry can offer brief counselling and support during the reunion search process. You may also wish to pursue additional counseling through a local agency or private therapist.


==How do you get the documents needed from the Vital Statistics Agency?==
If you’re a person who was adopted or a birth mother, you must send a copy of your birth certificate (as proof of your identity).
You have to submit an application form to the Vital Statistics Agency. Visit their website at [http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/adoption www.vs.gov.bc.ca/adoption]. Or call 604.660.2937 in the lower mainland, 250.952.2681 in Greater Victoria, or 1.800.663.8328 elsewhere in BC.


There’s a fee of $50 to obtain copies of the adopted adult’s original birth registration and/or adoption order. The names of and information about the adoptive parents is deleted to protect their privacy.
Siblings searching for an adult sibling who was adopted need to provide the birth parent's birth and death certificates.


==What if a birth parent or adopted child doesn’t want to be known or found?==
If you are requesting an active search, there is an additional $250 fee. You also need to send a copy of the adopted person’s original birth registration document and the adoption order.  
Individuals who want their privacy respected can have a “disclosure veto” or “no-contact declaration” placed on their records in the Vital Statistics Agency.


==What’s a disclosure veto?==
You can get these documents from the Vital Statistics Agency. See its website at [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies gov.bc.ca/vitalstatistics], or call 250-952-2681 in Victoria, and toll-free 1-888-876-1633 elsewhere in BC.
A disclosure veto prevents the release of any information on the birth registration or adoption order identifying the person who placed the veto. A disclosure veto also prevents the Adoption Reunion Registry from providing assistance in locating the person who filed the veto. You can place a disclosure veto if you’re a birth parent or adopted person involved in an adoption that took place before 1996.


==What’s a no-contact declaration?==
===If a birth parent or adopted person doesn’t want to be known or found===
A no-contact declaration allows information to be released, but prohibits any contact with the person who has placed the no-contact declaration. If a no-contact declaration has been placed on the birth and/or adoption records you’re searching, you’ll have to sign a statutory declaration promising that you won’t contact the other person as long as the no-contact declaration is in effect. If you break your promise, you’ll face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
People who want to remain unknown can have a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration placed on their records in the Vital Statistics Agency.


==A written statement may be included==
A '''disclosure veto''' prevents the release of any information on the birth registration or adoption order identifying the person who placed the veto. A disclosure veto also prevents the Adoption Reunion Registry from helping to locate the person who filed the veto. You can place a disclosure veto on your record if you’re a birth parent or adopted person involved in an adoption that occurred before 1996.
The person placing a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration can also place or file a written statement. This statement may include social, medical and health information and perhaps the reason the person doesn’t want to be contacted. If the birth and adoption records you’re searching at the Vital Statistics Agency contain a written statement, you’ll be given a copy.


==Where can you get help or find more information?==
A '''no-contact declaration''' allows information to be released, but prohibits any contact with the person who placed the no-contact declaration. If a no-contact declaration was placed on the birth or adoption records you’re searching, you’ll have to sign a statutory declaration promising not to contact the other person while the no-contact declaration lasts. If you break your promise, you may face a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
*Call 1.877.ADOPT.07 or 250.387.3660.
*See the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s website on adoption and adoption registries at [http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption].


A person who files a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration can also file a written statement. This statement may include social, medical and health information and perhaps the reason the person doesn’t want to be contacted. If the birth and adoption records you’re searching at the Vital Statistics Agency contain a written statement, you’ll be given a copy.


[updated March 2013]
==Get help==


===With more information===
The '''Ministry of Children & Family Development''' has information on its website about adoption reunions and registries.
:Web: [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/adoptions/adoption-reunions-registries gov.bc.ca/mcfd]


----
The '''Adoptive Families Association of BC''' supports the adoption community at all ages and stages through education, counselling and advocacy.
----
:Toll-free: 1-877-236-7807
 
:Web: [https://www.bcadoption.com/ bcadoption.com]


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Revision as of 22:35, 29 March 2019

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Adoption Branch, Ministry of Children & Family Development in March 2018.

People who have been adopted and their relatives can use adoption registries and reunion services to find one another and exchange information. Learn how British Columbia’s three adoption registries work.

Understand the legal framework

There are registries to help connect people who have been adopted and their relatives

Society’s attitudes toward adoption have changed over the years. Many adopted people want to know about their birth parents. Many birth parents want to know how a child they placed for adoption is doing. Many adopted people and birth parents want to meet each other.

In BC, there are registries that help connect people who have been adopted and their relatives.

Parents Registry

Birth parents of a child placed for adoption can register with the Parents Registry to receive notice of adoption details and be involved in the adoption planning. Parents can register any time before the child’s birth, and up to 150 days after the child was placed for adoption. There is no fee to register.

Post-Adoption Openness Registry

Adoptive parents, birth parents or relatives of an adopted person can register for the opportunity to share information after an adoption order is granted for a child who is under 19 years old. By registering in the Post-Adoption Openness Registry, they can exchange information and communicate with each other after the adoption. There are no fees to register.

Adoption Reunion Registry

The Adoption Reunion Registry connects people who have been adopted with their relatives for adoptions that took place in BC. Adopted adults can search for their birth parents or siblings. Birth parents who placed a child for adoption can start searching for them as soon as the child is age 19.

How the Post-Adoption Openness Registry works

Registering in the Post-Adoption Openness Registry gives adoptive parents, birth parents and other relatives the option of exchanging information after an adoption order is granted for a child who is under 19 years old. The information exchange may range from medical information, letters, cards and pictures, to the full exchange of names and addresses for direct contact.

A successful match

When you apply to register, the registry checks if there’s a match with anyone else involved in the adoption. For example, if the adoptive parents and the birth mother register, there’s a match. The registry will only contact parties if a match occurs.

Reaching an openness agreement

If there is a match, the registry will contact the parties to discuss the level of contact they want. The parties can opt for full disclosure and direct contact, or a non-identifying exchange of information. If one or both want a non-identifying exchange, a social worker will help them make an openness agreement.

Any decision to enter into an openness agreement should be based on what is in the best interests of the adopted child. An openness agreement cannot be forced — it's based on voluntary cooperation of everyone involved.

How long registration lasts

An application to the Post-Adoption Openness Registry lasts until the adopted child reaches 19 years of age. Then, if no match has been made, an application can be made to the Adoption Reunion Registry.

How the Adoption Reunion Registry works

The Adoption Reunion Registry connects people who have been adopted with their relatives for adoptions that took place in BC. Everyone involved must be age 19 or over when the connection is made.

The registry operates a passive registry and in some cases can help with an active search.

Passive registry

For adoptions that happened in BC, people who have been adopted, birth parents, siblings and other relatives can register to connect with their birth relatives.

The passive registry requires two parties looking for each other to register — a match is only made if both parties register. If there is a match, the registry will contact both parties and help them contact each other.

Active search

The registry can help with an active search for a relative. They will first check if the relative is registered. If not, they will search for the person. If they find the person, the registry will contact them to discuss next steps. If the person also wants a reunion, the registry will discuss with both parties the options for communicating, such as letters, phone calls, a meeting, or visits in person.

Tip

The Adoption Reunion Registry can provide brief counselling and support during the reunion search process. You may also seek other counselling through a local social services agency or a private therapist.

Registering with the Adoption Reunion Registry

You can apply to be registered with the Adoption Reunion Registry by:

  • completing and mailing the application form to the registry
  • paying the $25 fee to register (you can ask for it to be waived)

As well, you must submit additional documents that vary depending on who you are.

If you’re a person who was adopted or a birth mother, you must send a copy of your birth certificate (as proof of your identity).

Siblings searching for an adult sibling who was adopted need to provide the birth parent's birth and death certificates.

If you are requesting an active search, there is an additional $250 fee. You also need to send a copy of the adopted person’s original birth registration document and the adoption order.

You can get these documents from the Vital Statistics Agency. See its website at gov.bc.ca/vitalstatistics, or call 250-952-2681 in Victoria, and toll-free 1-888-876-1633 elsewhere in BC.

If a birth parent or adopted person doesn’t want to be known or found

People who want to remain unknown can have a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration placed on their records in the Vital Statistics Agency.

A disclosure veto prevents the release of any information on the birth registration or adoption order identifying the person who placed the veto. A disclosure veto also prevents the Adoption Reunion Registry from helping to locate the person who filed the veto. You can place a disclosure veto on your record if you’re a birth parent or adopted person involved in an adoption that occurred before 1996.

A no-contact declaration allows information to be released, but prohibits any contact with the person who placed the no-contact declaration. If a no-contact declaration was placed on the birth or adoption records you’re searching, you’ll have to sign a statutory declaration promising not to contact the other person while the no-contact declaration lasts. If you break your promise, you may face a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

A person who files a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration can also file a written statement. This statement may include social, medical and health information and perhaps the reason the person doesn’t want to be contacted. If the birth and adoption records you’re searching at the Vital Statistics Agency contain a written statement, you’ll be given a copy.

Get help

With more information

The Ministry of Children & Family Development has information on its website about adoption reunions and registries.

Web: gov.bc.ca/mcfd

The Adoptive Families Association of BC supports the adoption community at all ages and stages through education, counselling and advocacy.

Toll-free: 1-877-236-7807
Web: bcadoption.com
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