Catholic Charities adoption staff will assist you in learning as much non-identifying information about your birth parents as our records hold. In some cases, there is considerable medical and social information in our records, but more often, there is just basic information, such as birth parent's name, age, nationality, occupation, and perhaps some details about their family.
We will share in a written report all of the non-identifying information that is available. If you are interested in background information only, please contact us; a service agreement will be mailed to you, and the record review will be done as soon as we are able to accomplish it. Because of the volume of calls, there is sometimes a wait while we process those that we are working on.
Search and Reunion
If you are hoping for more than just information, and think that you would like to initiate a search for your birth relatives, our staff will assist you. We see this service to adoptees as a process–rarely is it completed rapidly. In some cases, birth parents are very difficult to locate, and it may take some time to do so.
If and when a birth parent is located, he or she may be reluctant to meet the adoptee. In such a situation, the Catholic Charities counselor will explore with her or him what options are open: Will the birth parent provide updated medical information? Will the birth parent provide information on talents, occupations, interests, and any other information which would be of interest to the adoptee? Will the birth parent receive a letter and perhaps photos of the adoptee? Would the birth parent write an non-identifying letter or send photos for the adoptee?
In many cases your birth parent will need time to think through what response is best. Catholic Charities counselors will not exert any pressure in an attempt to hurry the process. If your birth parent decides not to have further contact, Catholic Charities counselors cannot continue to contact him or her.
If, however, the process does move forward, Catholic Charities will be ready to assist as a mediator and facilitator.
Often the process is so emotion-filled that all members of the triad (birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents)
need support and encouragement. It is a process that can often cause total preoccupation on the part of the parties involved, and other family members can feel left out and somewhat uneasy. We strongly recommend that you read books or articles about the experiences of others in reunion.
What Does This Cost?
- The fee for a review of our records is $75.00 per hour.
- The fee for a full search for birth relatives is $400.00. This fee applies whether or not the search results in a reunion. Often many hours go into locating birth relatives, and acting as intermediaries. If the flat fee of $400.00 is prorated per hour it often turns out to be very nominal.
Ways of Contacting Catholic Charities
We can be reached by telephone at 402-554-0520. When you speak to the receptionist, ask to be referred to a Children's Services counselor (Sue Malloy,Wendy Spetman or Grace Sundermeier).
If you wish to send your request over the Internet, click here.
If you prefer to send a regular letter, please direct it to Sue Malloy, Wendy Spetman, or Grace Sundermeier at:
Catholic Charities
3300 North 60th Street
Omaha, NE 68104