Search Tips

• IMPORTANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!.........  If you use a paid search / investigator, do not pay money up front, make sure they are licensed by their state and get the license number,  S.C. requires an investigator to provide a contract for the client that states total cost, time to complete the search, how often you will get a follow-up, etc. We have recently been told of several searchers/companies that people paid money for up front and did not get a completed search.

• Get a Generic Email address such as Yahoo, hotmail or Gmail (Google email).  You may change your internet service provider  but these emails will not change.    www.yahoo.com ,  www.hotmail.com  or google mail - which is our favorite This is really a help when you post to search sites, and your email is not the same if someone is looking for you. 

• Start a notebook and keep record of everyone you talked to, correspondence mailed, e-mail, etc. 

• You are going to start making long distance telephone calls, so make sure you have the best rates shop around for your lowest rates.

• Get together all the papers that you might have, adoption decree, your adopted birth certificate, and your non-identifying information.

• If you do not have your non-identifying information write for it from the agency or if you adoption went thru DSS contact them (the wait time thru DSS for non-id could be as long as 1 years Remember DSS only provides non id for the ones that DSS placed. If the adoption was handled by another agency or private attorney contact them.

• If you have a open communication with your adoptive parents regarding search, let them share with you any information that they know regarding your background.

• If you decide to employ a professional investigator/searcher - never pay money up front and get a no find no fee guarantee . Always get references from a professional   and understand your contract  South Carolina law required a contact between a client and investigator that is licensed to do work in S.C.

• A birth parent has the right to obtain the delivery records from the hospital - so if you are unsure of  the date of birth, time or weight this is great alternative.

• A birth parent should put a letter in the adoption file at the at the agency or the state if handled by DSS.  This will speed up the search if the adoptee is searching.

• Be prepared for contact .  (read this article)

• If someone is helping you search without charge, please send a SASE if you are asking for a reply,  or accept a collect call  and reimburse them for charges, parking, copies, etc.  A lot of volunteers give their time and every little bit helps.

• Keep a list of registry entries and advise them when you have found.

• If you are a birth parent you might consider listing your maiden name in the telephone directory where the birth occurred or when you were living at the time.   The cost for doing this is not that expensive and would help in trying to help an adoptee locate you.

• If you need additional search help,  we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Adoption Terms - Lingo
Social Security Numbers

Phone:
1-800-455-5574

1-843-757-5557

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