AA-adult adoptee

ABC-Ammended birth certificate. Birth certificate issued after the adoption and possibly containing inaccurate or incomplete information.

abandon(ment)-when a birth parent or other legal guardian leaves a child in danger and or without care for an extended period of time. The court then interceeds in the child's best interests by terminating parental rights and finding adoption placement for the child. The majority of adoptees where not adandoned as their birth parents chose an adoption plan for their lives.

ABro-adoptive brother

Active Registry-an adoption reunion registry where the individual's running the registry take an active part in finding matches or making reunions happen. Torn Asunder is an "active registry".

AD-adoptee

ADad-adoptive father (dad)

Adop-adoption. Is also seen as adopt.

Adoption Agency-an organization licensed by the state and approved for helping a birth parent make an adoption plan and or placing children in adoptive families. Agencies may be privately owned, state run or affiliated with a church or other organization. The most well known agencies in Florida are Catholic Charities and Children's Home Society.

Adoption Facilitator-an agency, attorney, Dr. or similar who helps to make the adoption happen. (one who finds prospective adoptive parents or an adoptee for them)

Adoption Petition-an official court document the adoptive parents use to ask the court for permission to adopt a specific child. Preceeds the final judgement. In FL this paper must be filed within 30 days after the child is placed in the adoptive home.

AF-adoptive father

affidavit-a legal document in which a party swears that the information is to his or her knowledge correct, factual and complete

alias-a false name. Quite often associated with a name that the birth mother used when receiving maternity care or living in a home for un-wed mothers. The assuming of a false name was a common practice by birth mothers during the 1960's and before. Quite often (but not always) this a practice forced upon the birth mother by agencies and or maternity homes, but most commonly insisted upon by family members who wished to keep her/their identities secret.

AM-adoptive mother

Amended Birth Certificate- Birth certificate issued after the adoption and possibly containing inaccurate or incomplete information. Also known as ABC. Usually altered in such a way as to make it appear that the adoptive parents are the natural parents. (Interesting to note that the dictionary meaning of this word is "to correct or remove faults or errors from. To change for the better.")

AMom-adoptive mother (mom)

AN-name given to child after adoption by adoptive family. Replaces birth name on records.

anniversary reaction-a psychological event related to a specific date. Most birth mothers experience this type of occurance on their birth children's birthday and or on the day that their parental rights were terminated

AP-adoptive parent(s)

Apar-adoptive parent(s)

ASib-adoptive sibling (brother or sister in the adoptive family)

ASis-adoptive sister

at risk placement-the placement of a child into the prospective adoptive home BEFORE the termination of parental rights has occured. This placement carries with it the risk that the child may be removed from the home and returned to the custody of its' natural parents or legal guardian. Also known as "at risk placement".

Atty-attorney

Bbro-birth brother (a brother who has the same birth parents)

BC-birth certificate. Can be ABC or OBC (see definitions of each)

BD-depends upon the context.
      Can mean either:birth daughter or birthday

BDad-birth father (dad)

BF-birth father

BFam-birth family

Black Market Adoption-an illegal adoption. Any adoption where the legal rights of the birth parents or child were violated. Often associated with large amounts of money changing hands between parties.

BM-birth mother. Also called Bmom or FM

BMA-black market adoption (illegal adoption)

BMom-birth mother (mom). Also called BM, FM (first mother) or Natural Mother.

BN-Depends on context but usually refers to the birth name or the original name given to the child by the birth family before adoption.
Also used for "Bastard Nation" a pro-active adoptee rights group.

BP-birth parent

BPar-birth parent(s)

BR-birth relative

BS-birth son

BSib-siblings (brothers or sisters) that shares the same birth parents

Bsis-birth sister (a sister who has the same birth parents)

BW-birth weight

CC-Catholic Charities. An adoption agency.

CHS-Children's Home Society. An adoption agency

CI-confidential intermediary. An individual that acts as a go between for the court,agency or individual so that identifying information is not released until both parties are in agreement.  (Usually refers to someone appointed by the court. FL does not have a CI program in place. Agencies such as CHS do use CI's. For futher info on CHS's program go here.)

closed adoption-an adoption where none of the parties involved are privy to the identity of the other. All records are sealed.

closed records-all adoption related documents as well as the original birth certificate are sealed or removed from access by the triad and or general public. No identifying information is released to any member of the adoption triad. Florida is at this time a closed record state.

closed registry-see mutual consent

COH-Children Of Hope. An online reunion registry for adoptions facilitated by Helen Tanos Hope.

confidential-protection of a persons identity. Mutual consent registries and adoption agencies protect the identity of an individual by not releasing personal or identifying information to outside parties. (Sometimes this "protection" goes against the wishes of all the parties involved.) Contrary to popular misconception majority of birth mothers never requested nor were promised confidentiality. Can also be used in reference to an adoptive family's desire not to be identified or located by a birth parent, or the need to keep a child's location known from a parent when abuse is suspected, or the child is placed in a temporary foster home.

consent to adopt-begins with a legal document signed by the birth parent explaining his/her intent to place the child for adoption. This is the courts answer to the adoption petition filed by the adoptive parents. Until this paper is signed and filed the adoptive parents cannot continue with the adoption procedure. Precedes the final judgment or decree.

CW-case worker (usually used in reference to an employee of a state or privately run adoption agency).Same as a SW.

DC-death certificate

DCF(S)-Department of Children & Families (Services). State run agency protecting the welfare of children. Also referred to in some places as CPS (Child Protective Services)

direct placement:when the adoptive parents receive the child directly from the hospital

DMV-Department Of Motor Vehicles

docket(s):a public record which shows which cases where heard on which date.

DOB-date of birth

domestic adoption:the adoption of a child that was born in the United States

DSS-Department of Social Services

DVS-Department of Vital Statistics.

F2F-"face to face" Denotes the actual physical meeting between people (usually birth family in reunion).

family assessment:part of the pre-adoption investigation. Usually includes interviews with all family members and at least one home visit.

F-adoption shorthand for female (most often written along with another abbreviation such as F/Ad)

FARR-a mutual consent registry run by the state of Florida known as the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry. For more information go here.

FBA-foreign born adoptee

FCH-Florence Crittenton Home. A maternity home or home for unwed mother's.

FIF-Finding in Florida. (A name most often attached to a search and support email group or its' associated mutual consent registry.)

final decree-an official paper filed with the court after adoption proceedings, in which the the adoptive parents are named as the legal parent to an adoptee. Also known as adoption decree, order or judgment. Birth parents names are rarely found on this document. It is at this time that the amended birth certificate is issued making it appear in every way that the adoptive parents are the child's natural parents. Adoptive parents are the only ones that can get a copy of this document in it's entirety as they were a party to the judgment. Adoptees can request a copy, but part of the record will be blacked out.

finalization-the last and final step in the adoption process, when the judge orders that the adoptive parents become the parents of record to the adoptee with all of the legal rights and responsibilities of the child's natural parents prior to placement. It is at this time that all records of the court hearing are ordered sealed. This is not the same as when a Bmom signs papers to relinquish or when the adoptee is placed in the adoptive home.

FM-first mother (same as a birth mother)Also called BM or Bmom.

FN-foster name. Name given to child while residing in the home of foster parents. Usually after the termination of parental rights with the intent of protecting identity of all parties.

FSA-Florida Search Angelsa group of volunteers helping reunite birth family in Florida by doing research and or look-ups.

FSN-the Florida Search Network. A group of affiliated registry owners, search angels, and list owners working together for the common good of the adoption search and reunion community.

FP-Depends on the context.Can mean either first parent (same as birth parent) or foster parent

Full Sib-a sibling (brother or sister) that shares the same birth parents

genetic attraction-a strong physical attraction that occurs between birth family members upon reunion. Can be mistaken for sexual attraction.

grey (gray)market-refers to adoptions that come dangerously close to violating the legal rights of an adoptee or birth parent. Money is usually the motivating factor or the means to the end in these types of adoptions. Many people use the terms gray market and black market to describe any illegal or unethical adoption practitioner or placement.

guardian ad litem:a court appointed intermediary who acts in a child's best interests during a court hearing. (i.e. divorce, child custody, termination of parental rights, or adoption.). This person is often an attorney but can also be a volunteer who reports directly to the court after in home studies and interviews with the child, family and other concerned parties.

HFU-a search and support e-mail list for Helen Tanos Hope adoptees and birth family.

home study:the interview and evaluation of prospective adoptive parents and the home environment to determine suitability. Usually includes evaluation of parenting skills, work record, finances, and criminal background check. Can be conducted by a social worker,government agency (such as DCF), agency worker or guardian ad litem. Home studies can take place prior to the adoption and most states require at least one home study post-adoption to ensure that the placement is a "success".

hospital code-a numerical code found on FL birth certificates that identifies the county and hospital of birth.

HTH-Helen Tanos Hope. A Florida adoption attorney accused of grey market adoptions. For more information go here.

ICPC:Interstate Compact for placement of children. Agreement between state that monitors the movement and procedures involved in placement of adoptive and foster children between states.

ICWA-Indian Child Welfare Act. A public law regarding the adoption placement of children of Native American Indians, which recognizes a tribes sovereignty and legal rights in matters pertaining to the child's welfare. (Public Law 95-608)

Involuntary termination of parental rights-a legal procedure whereby the rights of a parent is ended without consent. Most often used in the case of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Can also apply to a birth father who was not advised of the pregnancy or birth so as to be given an opportunity to be involved in legal proceedings. (In most instances the court views a legal notification in a newspaper as evidence of providing the birth father the opportunity to be involved in this process, and therefore does not view the birth father's rights as being "involuntarily terminated".)

ISO-"In search of" Adoption shorthand usually seen in a search post (i.e. to AD ISO BM or adoptee ISO birth mother).

ISRR-International Soundex Reunion Registry. The world's largest mutual consent registry. For more information go here.

KC-kept child. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent. Same as RC.

KD-kept daughter. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent. Same as RD.

KS-kept son. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent. Same as RS.

LBC-long form birth certificate. (see long form birth certificate)

LDA-late discovery adoptee. An adoptee who discovered they were adopted after childhood

LDS-Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) usually used in connection with church affiliation or as name of adoption facilitator.

long form birth certificate:In Florida this is now referred to as "book form". Both the OBC and ABC can be book form or detailed birth certificates. Additional information may be contained in the longer form than is supplied in the normal document, but that is not always the case. Sometimes things like birth weight and time of birth are still left out. Adoptees must specifically request the long form when asking for copies of their birth certificates. Unlike the short form, this cannot be done on line from Vital Statistics. The cost is also higher for this document than it is for the shorter document.

M-male (most often written along with another abbreviation such as M/Ad)

MR-adoption short hand for minor (usually used in conjunction with another abbreviation such as MR/AD)

mutual consent registry-a closed or confidential registry where contact with the individual posting must go through the registry owner or other intermediary to determine the likelihood of a match. Torn Asunder does not advocate the use of ANY mutual consent registry other than the ISRR and FARR.   There are already too many secrets in adoption and the outcome of reunion should be left in the hands of the individuals involved, not middle men or registry owners.

NAR-Not adoption related. Usually used in e-mail groups as the subject line of e-mail that does not pertain to adoption issues.

non-id-non-identifying information. Information about adoptees,adoptive families or birth parents that does not give away the parties identity or location. To read more on this subject go here.

OBC-the original birth certificate issued at time of a child's birth and containing the name of one or more birth parents.

obit-an obituary or death announcement. (Usually appearing in a newspaper or periodical.)

open adoption-an adoption where at least one of the parties knows the other. In this type adoption the Birth Mother frequently has a voice in choosing parents for her child. Various terms and conditions to the adoption are mediated beforehand and stipulated in the decree or agreement.

open records-adoption related records or documents are available to all members of the adoption triad. Adoptees are granted the right to their original birth certificate and all identifying information is available. Also used to describe the "movement" to bring this about.

open registry-an adoption reunion registry where contact information is available so that those posting or inquiring are free to explore the possibility of a match without the interference of a third party. (This is the only type registry that Torn Asunder endorses, outside of the ISRR and FARR)

Original Birth Certificate-certificate issued at time of birth and containing the name of one or more birth parents.

PAPS-prospective adoptive parents

Passive Registry-an adoption reunion registry that does not actively participate in matching those in search. FARR or the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry is an example of a passive registry.

PI-private investigator

POB-place of birth

primal wound-a term used to explain the disruption of natural pre-natal bonding between birth mother and child due to their separation at the time of the child's birth, and the resulting feelings of abandonment experienced (but unvocalized) by the newborn child. Also the title of a book on this subject written by Nancy Newton Verrier.

private adoption-an adoption facilitated by a private attorney and not an agency.

PST-post traumatic stress disorder. A psychological manifestation related to a traumatic or painful event in a person's life. Birth parents that were forced or coerced into relinquishing a child against their will suffer from sort of PST related to the event. Memories or discussions of things related to those events can trigger emotional consequences such as depression, suicidal thoughts and the like.

RC-raised child. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent. Same as KC

registry-an index of information containing birth family and adoptees search information, listed in the hopes of reuniting family members. Registries can be open/closed, passive/active, online/off line. Guestbooks and forums in the truest sense are not registries, though they may in part serve the same function. In the adoption search and reunion community the ISRR is the most widely known and accepted registry.

RD-raised daughter. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent same as KD.

relinquish-"voluntary" surrender of parental rights or obligations. Termination of parental rights so that another party may assume them.

revoke consent-a decision by either birth parent or legal guardian to withdrawal their approval of previously agreed upon termination of parental rights and a request that the child be returned to his/her custody. Florida grants a birth parent a specific period of time in which this must take place. Birth parents are given 3 months before the finalization of the adoption can take place, and up to one year to contest illegalities in an adoption proceeding.

RS-raised son. A child that grew up in the home of the birth parent. Same as KS.

SBM-Sunflower Birth Mother's

sealed records:the documents of an adoption hearing that are closed so that the public cannot view them. This usually includes any paper work that contains the names of the child, the birth parents or the adoptive parent. Original birth certificates are also part of the sealed record.

sib or sibling- (a brother or sister) (can have prefix of B or A in front of it to denote Birth sibling or Adoptive sibling

special needs adoption-an adoption where it is known before adoption that the child has some type of disability.

SS-depends upon context.
    Can be used to mean Social Security of Social Services.

SSDI-Social Security Death Index. A government sponsored listing of certified deaths in the USA.

STSS-Searching the Sunshine State. An e-mail search and support group.

Surrender Papers-a legal document signed by a child's natural parents or legal guardian ending all rights, control and custody of a child. (relinquishing parental rights)
SW-social worker (usually used in reference to an employee of a state or privately run adoption agency) Basically the same as a CW

Synchronicity-a word used to explain coincidences in the lives of birth family members. (common examples are the sharing of same names, living in the same cities, working or doing business at the same place). Usually not discovered until after reunion has taken place and previously separate lives are compared.

termination of parental rights-usually denotes an involuntary surrender of parenthood, but can also be used to refer to the official act of removing parental rights/responsibilities/obligations from an individual prior to releasing a child for adoption by another family.

triad-the three parties to the adoption. (Birth Parents, Adoptee and Adoptive Parents)

VOA-Volunteers Of America, an adoption agency or facilitator some of which also had maternity homes associated with them.

VS-Vital Statistics.

WWR-"World Wide Registry" one of the largest and oldest reunion registries located on the internet. Contains both open and confidential listings.

BRB-be right back

BTW-by the way

IMHO-in my humble opinion

IMO-in my opinion

LOL-laughing out loud

NAR-not adoption related.

OIC-Oh!...I see (or understand)

ROFL-rolling on the floor in laughter or laughing really hard