Birth Families
Don't forget to Register
Please sign the Petition
How to Make Contact - Article
Birth Mother's Bill of Rights
Facebook Group - South Carolina Adoption Reunion Registry
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. S C Department of Social Services
will provide non-identifying information on the adoptions that were done
thru their agency as well as the Childrens Bureau. When the Childrens
Bureau closed those records were turned over to the state.
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: adopted adults, birth
parents and birth siblings. Only if the state of SC - DSS has a record of
the adoption as being handled by them. They will send you a form to
register. If the adoption was handled privately (attorney or other agency)
you can not register. There may be a small charge for their registry.
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 Birth Parent will need to provide:
Name of Child at Birth, Date of Birth, Sex of Child, Name of Birth Mother at
time of birth, and agree to the registry requirements and have it notarized
and return.
Example: The registry requirements are that you sign
(subject to change)
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
Adoption Reunion Registry
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 734-6095
(800) 922-2504
Florence Crittenton Home - unwed mother's home in
Charleston, SC
843-722-7526
19 St. Margaret Street
Charleston, SC 29403
www.florencecrittentonsc.org
Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee must petition the
court in which the adoption was finalized
A birth mother is entitled to her medical records - You might consider
writing the hospital where the child was born and request your admission,
delivery and discharge records. (this will also confirm the
date/time/weight).