Adoptee Registry

An adoption reunion registry is a place where adoptees, birthfamily members, and sometimes those helping them with their search can enter information in the hopes of finding other parties to the adoption. The largest online reunion registry is here at our Adoption.com Reunion Registry, and the largest offline registry is the International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR).

In his article about the ISRR, Anthony Vilardi writes, "A registry service is not intrusive. Reunions that take place through a registry go well for most. Registrants choose their means of communication, although most want to meet as soon as possible. Closure can take place at the same time that a new chapter begins. Connections and answers are often most important to adoptees; they have questions about health, appearance, characteristics, traits, and the circumstances of their conception and placement. They love to find siblings. They seldom seek to replace their adoptive parents, though." (read more...)

One of the most frequently raised questions about adoptee posts on an online reunion registry is about how much information to put out there. Search guru Colleen Buckner (who can be found on our search & reunion forums) writes: "Be careful about what information put leave on a registry. It all becomes public knowledge on the Internet. Leaving the possible name of a birth parent is not a good idea. This is not the way for the birth parent or any birth family member to find out that you are searching for them. Remember to always respect the privacy of the other person. When posting on a registry check to see if the registry has an option for someone to send you a response through the website administration. It is not recommended that you leave identifying information about yourself such as your email address, phone number or full name. The best way to post a message is to give only [the] date of birth, gender and city and state of birth of the adopted person. Following these rules should protect you from being scammed." (read more...)

More: Before Using Reunion Registries