Adoption Archives
SEARCH AND REUNION SERVICES
We have a short waiting list.
In the CHS Adoptions Archive Unit, our professional staff understands the uncertainties our clients feel about search and reunion. We are committed to excellent service and make every attempt to help you in this important process. We applaud your courage in making this major step in your life.
In proceeding with search and reunion, we recommend that you familiarize yourself as much as possible with this emotional process by reading and joining adoption groups. You also may wish to consider consultation with a counselor familiar with adoption issues. While our counselors are trained professionals, we are not able to provide these services on an ongoing basis.
What we can do for you
If you're part of an adoption triad (a birth parent, adoptee or adoptive parent) whose records were finalized through CHS, we have your archived record and are able to search for your relative. As your intermediary, CHS professionals will search and help you make contact with another member of the triad. We do this by providing you with opportunities for contact:
- Exchange of letters
- Conference telephone calls originating at a CHS office
- On-site visitation at a CHS location
Please be assured: Release of any identifying information is done by you, not by CHS.
While we have access to your adoption records and can serve as intermediaries to facilitate a more successful reunion, we also encourage you to register with Florida's Reunion Registry by calling 1-800-96-ADOPT (in Florida) or 1-904-353-0679 (out of Florida) or with the International Soundex Reunion Registry at (775) 882-7755.
Who can be served and how
Adult Adoptee
If you are at least 18 years of age,
- you may request non-identifying information or begin search and reunion services. These services are offered for a fee. Adoptive parents would not be notified of your desire to contact your birth parent. (However, we suggest that you seriously consider discussing with them that you are going to search for your birth parents.)
Please contact our office or complete the Request for Services form.
Birth Parent
If your birth child has reached the age of 18, you may request non-identifying information from the archived record about the adoptive family in which your child was placed, OR you may request to search for your child for a possible reunion. These services are offered for a fee.
Please contact our office or complete the Request for Services form.
Adoptive Parent
If your child is under 18 years of age and is requesting non-identifying information OR desires to search for the birth parents, you are the legal party that must request these services. These services are offered for a fee.
Please contact our office or complete the Request for Services form.
If your child is over 18 years of age, please refer to instructions for Adult Adoptee.
TO REQUEST UPDATES AND EXCHANGES
If updates and exchanges of information were previously established between the adoptive family and the birth family, CHS can facilitate the updates. If you have been providing updates through the CHS division office that coordinated your child's adoption, then you should continue to contact the CHS division office for that service.
If that CHS division is no longer facilitating the updates, contact the Adoption Archive Unit with your request. Once the adoption record has been transferred to the Adoption Archive Unit, the ability to provide and/or request updates will be limited by the most recent contact information provided by either family. It is extremely important to provide CHS with any changes in your current name and/or address.
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Find information on the cost of services.
How to contact us
Please do not hesitate to call or write us if you have any questions about the search process. Our professional staff is always pleased to help you in any way possible.
You may mail all correspondence, applications and fees to:
Adoption Archives Unit
Children's Home Society of Florida
P.O. Box 5616
Jacksonville, FL 32247
Telephone: (904) 493-7780
Fax: (904) 348-2848