Florida FAQs-Courtesy of Torn Asunder Adoption Reunion Registry of FL

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the first thing I should do once I begin to search?

The first thing anyone should do once they have decided to search is register with the ISRR (International Reunion Registry). This is the world's largest mutual consent registry and it is free. Even people without computer access are told to register there.

Second to that is to read "First Things First" this will help you get organized from the beginning and help you to know where you might be able to find the documents and information that will lead you to your birth family.

Additional search resources or information can be found here.

2. What is "non-id"?

You can read all about "non-id" or non-identifying information here.

3. What is FARR?

Florida adoption law mandates that the state maintain a mutual consent adoption reunion registry for post-adoption services. FARR or the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry is that state run registry. There is a $35.00 fee for registration. To learn more click here.

4. I have seen all kinds of abbreviations and words I don't understand. What do these words mean?

Much like any other special interest group, the adoption world has a jargon that is all it's own. If you think about reading real-estate adds and seeing things like 3BR 1B LR, it helps to make the adoption abbreviations a little less intimidating. Most abbreviations and words are fairly easy to decipher if you give them a little thought. For a complete list of abbreviations and adoption related words visit the adoption dictionary.

4. What information is available to adoptees and birth family under Florida law and where do I get it?

Certain non-identifying information can be released to adoptees & their adoptive parents. There is NO provision in FL law for the release of ANY information to the birth family. Many birth parents receive some basic information about the adoptive family at the time they place their child for adoption but there is nothing in the law that demands that that information be accurate or must be released. As of 4/2003 the State of Florida is releasing NO information to birth family.

Adoptees should contact Josette Marquess at FARR and specifically ask for their non-identifying information. This information is free, but MUST be requested. You wont get it simply by registering with FARR. If your's was an agency adoption chances are that FARR will not have any information available unless the state was involved in in home studies or in removing children from the home. Make sure you ask before you assume.

Florida Dept. of Children & Families
Florida Adoption Reunion Registry
Attn:Josette Marquess
1317 Winewood Blvd
Bldg. 6, Room100
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Certain information can also be received by contacting the agency or attorney involved in the adoption so make sure you do that too.

Adoptees can get county of finalization, agency/attorney info from Florida Vital Statistics by contacting:

Bureau of Vital Statistics
ATTN: Lorraine Kratz-Adoption Unit
P O Box 210
Jacksonville, Florida 32231-0042
**NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

For more on requesting information from FL Vital Statistics click here.

5. I have heard that birth certificates can be altered so that the DOB and other information isn't accurate. What is the truth?

At the time of adoption an Ammended Birth Certificate is issued and the original is sealed so that information about the Birth Parents is no longer available to the adoptee or the public at large. (The original is kept on file with FL Vital Statistics).

In Florida it is still legal to change the DOB, as well as much of the other information on the certificate. The fear of altered DOB's is highly exaggerated, and most ABCs are accurate in this regard. Personally I have not encountered one changed DOB in any of the searches I have assisted with.

6. Can I get a copy of my original Birth Certificate.

Most Florida Birth Parents do not have copies of their children's original BC unless the child was with them for a period of time prior to adoption. They cannot get one after they have signed papers terminating their parental rights.

Adoptees CAN get a copy of their original BC after they have been reunited with their Birth Parents. All parties to the adoption (adoptee, adoptive parents, & birth parents) must submit a notarized letter to FL Vital Statistics, granting permission and requesting release of the BC to the adoptee. This is true even when the adoptee is of legal age. In the case of the death of one of the parties, a death certificate must accompany the request. The state charges a nominal fee for the original BC just as it does for other documents such as death certificates and marriage licenses. For complete information on this subject contact:

Kathy Stephens
Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
1-(904)359-6900 Ext.1003

Adoptees cannot get a copy of their original BC before reunion, without a court order.

How to order a FL Birth Certificate

7. Does Florida have a CI (Confidential Intermediary) program?

Contrary to popular opinion, the state of Florida DOES NOT have a CI program.

Agencies are free to use whatever terminology that they choose to affix to their post adoption services and often use the term CI, but this denotes little more than the person making the initial post-adoption contact for the agency. The use of this term in such a manner should not be confused with state sanctioned CI programs in which the CI is actually assigned by the court.

8. Must I pay someone to help me search for my birth family?

NO!!! The fact is most information is free and there are many knowledgable searchers offering help. In some cases there may be slight fees for databases or out of pocket expenses, but the majority of help can be gotten for FREE.

Please check out the FloridaSearchNetwork and or contact the FloridaSearchAngels for reputable search help.

Some searches, because of complexity, may require the services of a paid searcher, PI or consultant. But these are the exception not the rule.

**Always check out a searcher thoroughly before divulging personal information or paying money for services.

9. Is it against the law to search for a minor child?

To date I can find nothing in Florida law that specifically makes it illegal to search for under-age children. However there are other legal and moral ramifications of conducting a search before the child is of age. Please see the comments on this subject on the minor search pages of this site. If after reading this information you are still intent on searching for an under-age child, please consult with an attorney licensed in FL to determine your rights and bounderies for this type of search.

**Torn Asunder and its operatives is in no way professing to offer legal advise, and is in NO way liable for those who begin a search of this nature even with the counsel of an attorney.

Also, most reputable searchers will not assist you in your search for a minor child unless circumstances convince them that it is in the child's best interests. So you need to be prepared to pay someone to do what others will not, or go this road alone until your child is of age.

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