Search and Reunification Program
In recent years, search laws regulating practices for agencies have changed. As a result, agencies such as Catholic Charities are now allowed to provide search and reunification services. These services are available to adoptees and birth parents who worked with Catholic Charities at the time of the relinquishment and adoption, and for whom this agency has records.
Who can apply?
Any member of the adoption triad, including birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents and grandparents of a minor (under 18 years old) adoptee, biological and half-biological siblings.
In all cases the next of kin is able to search, and must give their permission if someone who is not the next of kin wants to search. For example: If a birth parent has had another child, who would be considered the sibling of the child adopted, the birth parent would have to agree to let their child search for his/her sibling who was adopted. If the birth parent does not agree, their child cannot search. If the birth parent is deceased, the child must provide a death certificate to be able to proceed with a search.
How does it work?
The person wishing to search asks for an application packet and is sent the necessary materials. There is currently a waiting list for Catholic Charities search clients, because of the volume of requests. Therefore, once the application and application fee has been received, the client will be placed on the waiting list. The current wait time before the process is begun is approximately six to eight months. (Medical emergencies are given priority. In such cases, written documentation of the medical emergency from your physician is required, and each situation is dealt with on a case-by-case basis by Catholic Charities.)
When Catholic Charities’ search counselor is ready to begin the case, the client must participate in a preparation session with our search counselor or a counselor in their area. This is an assessment of a person’s readiness to enter a search and the appropriateness of their expectations. Catholic Charities has the option to decline to move forward if there are concerns during this assessment.
Catholic Charities’ search counselor will then attempt to locate and contact the person being sought (ie: birth parent or adoptee). The person sought will also need to participate in a preparation session with a Catholic Charities’ counselor, or one in their area.
After contact is made, the sought party must give his/her consent to contact. Catholic Charities is prohibited by law to release any identifying information without consent.
Search and reunification can lead to the sharing of letters, phone calls, or meetings, depending upon the wishes and consent of both parties. Communication, such as letters, can be facilitated through the agency to prevent identifying information from being exchanged, if that is a concern for either party.
Please be aware that once a search is started, it may take anywhere from 3-6 months or longer to complete, depending on the degree of difficulty of the case. (Even though Catholic Charities has the records and identifying information for people sought, the last contact information might be several years old and the person has most likely moved, maybe several times, and also potentially married, divorced, changed names, etc.)
Cost?
The application fee for search and reunification, which would hold a spot on the waiting list, is $125.
Once the search counselor is ready to begin a case, the balance of $600 is due. Therefore, the total fee for search and reunification is $725.
No matter the outcome of the search, Catholic Charities cannot provide refunds. The fee covers the services rendered such as administrative costs and time spent by the search counselor in preparation sessions, reviewing the file and searching.
What is the success rate?
Catholic Charities makes no guarantee that a person will be found. Once a person is found, he or she may decline contact or may only agree to minimal communication.
On average, about 80 percent of Catholic Charities search and reunification cases result in some form of contact between the two parties.
How to apply?
Contact (303)742-0828 or e-mail adoption@ccdenver.org to request an informational search packet and application, or to learn more information about the process.
In your message or e-mail, include your:
1. Full name
2. Address
3. Phone number
4. Your name at the time of the adoption, if you were a birth parent. Your adoptive parents’ names, if you were an adoptee. This is necessary to verify that Catholic Charities has your records and finalized the adoption, as Catholic Charities can only provide search services for adoptions it finalized.