Adoptees
Please
sign the petition for release of the original birth certificate
Get involved - SC Adoption Reform - Click Here
Let us know your opinion - Sign the Petition
Facebook Group - South Carolina Adoption Reunion Registry
Adoptee's Bill of Rights
Obtaining Non-Identifying Information: An adopted
adult, birth parents
and adoptive parents can receive information at the discretion of the CEO of the
adoption agency. If the state has an adoption record of the
adoption, they can release background info - currently the wait may be over a
year. SC Department of Social Services will provide non-identifying
information on the adoptions that were done thru their agency as well as the
Children's Bureau. When the Children's Bureau closed those records were
turned over to the state. The state charges $35 for this
service (you can asked that it can be waived)
Obtaining Identifying Information: An adopted adult age 21 or older can receive information on the birth parents and birth siblings,
and birth parents and birth siblings can receive information regarding the
adopted adult if affidavits with consent to release information have been filed
with an agency. The agency must maintain a registry containing the affidavits of
consent. All who register must go through counseling with the agency
Using the State Adoption Registry: The following persons may use the adoption
registry provided by the state: adopted adults, birth parents and birth siblings either through the
agency or State. Only if the state of SC - DSS has a record of the adoption will
they allow someone to register. If the adoption was handled privately
(attorney or other agency) you can not register.
What type of information will I need for the State Adoption Registry?
A Birthparent will need to provide:
Name of Child at Birth, Date of Birth, Sex of Child, Name of Birth Mother at
time of birth, and you agree to the registry requirements and have it notarized
and return.
An Adoptee will need to provide:
Adopted Name, Date of Birth, Sex, Name of Adopted Parents (include maiden name
of the adopted mother) and agree to the registry requirements and have it
notarized and return.
Example: The registry requirements are that you sign: (subject to change)
the state charges $10 to register with them (you can ask that this be waived)
I understand that:
.Completing and returning this affidavit enters my name on the Register.
.This affidavit will remain on file unless I send a written request to have it
removed.
.It is my responsibility to update this registration, in writing, if there is a
change of name, address or telephone number.
.When a match occurs, the agency will contact me, using the latest information
that I have provided, to schedule the required counseling.
.After the counseling is completed, the law requires a 30-day waiting period.
.At the end of the waiting period, I will receive notification of name, address
and telephone number of the other party and I am at liberty to pursue the actual
reunion in a mutually acceptable manner.
Example: AFFIDAVIT:
PERSONALLY APPEARS the undersigned party, who being duly sworn, deposes and says
that as the biological parent/adoptee of the child named above, I am willing to
have my identity, address and telephone number, shown below, revealed to this
child, now an adult; that I freely and voluntarily release and hold harmless the
State of South Carolina and its adoption agencies and all employees thereof from
any liability which may accrue by reason of
the release and disclosure of this information.
Contact:
South Carolina Department of Social Services has records for adoptions that were handled by Children's Bureau, Dept of Public Welfare and Dept of Social Services only. If the adoption was handled by another private agency or attorney they do not have any records. Background information may be obtained by the birth parent or the adoptee only at this time. The cost is $25 for the background info and $10 to be placed in the registry maintained by the state. This background info and registry only applies for adoptions that were handled by the Children's Bureau, Dept of Public Welfare and Dept of Social Services.
Phone/Email:
For your initial call to DSS contact:
1-800-922-2504
Follow-up calls contact:
Cheryl Sherring, Cathy Fitz, or Debra Kent
DSS Reunion Registry - (SCARR is aware of only 1 or 2 reunions thru the state registry)
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 734-6095
(800) 922-2504
Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.
For other agencies in S.C. click here
How to make contact - good article to read
Did the adoption go thru Tender Loving Care Adoption Agency-PTL (now closed) click here for info
IMPORTANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!......... If you use a paid searcher/investigator, do not pay any money up front, make sure they are licensed by the state and get the license number, S.C. state law required that an investigator licensed in S.C. to provide a contract to the client that states total cost, information to be provided to the client, how often you will get a follow-up, etc. We have been told of several searchers/companies that people paid money up front and did not get a completed search.