ADOPTEE-BIRTHPARENT

SUPPORT NETWORK

The Adoptee-Birthparent Support Network (ABSN) is an all-volunteer search and support group serving those in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC and related areas, whose lives have been affected by adoption. ABSN is an affiliate organization of the American Adoption Congress and is active in adoption reform efforts locally and nationally.
ABSN is a membership organization that meets monthly (except for the months of July and August) on the second Sunday (first Sunday in May) of each month from 7-9:00 P.M.. Meetings alternate between the Maryland and Virginia locations which are:
St. John the Evangelist School 10201 Woodland Drive Silver Spring, MD 20902 (Meet in the Library)
Directions
From 495 exit on to MD-97/Georgia Ave North toward Wheaton Follow Georgia Avenue North (approx. 0.6 mile) to August Drive Turn right on August Drive and then an immediate left onto Woodland Drive. There is a small parking lot next to the school and on-street parking. The school is approx. 4 blocks from the FOREST GLEN Metro station

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Parish Center (building to the right of the Church) Our Lady of Grace Room 1415 West Braddock Road Alexandria, VA
Directions From 395 exit on to King Street East Take King Street approx 1 mile Go thru light at Quaker Lane Turn left on West Braddock Road (Note: West Braddock Road is very close to the Quaker Lane intersection) The Church is 3 blocks down on the left

MEETING DATES/LOCATION

No meetings in July and August due to summer vacations

Next meeting will be:

10/12/2008--Alexandria, VA

11/09/2008--Silver Spring, MD

12/14/2008--Alexandria, VA

01/11/2009--Silver Spring, MD

02/08/2009--Alexandria, VA

03/08/2009--Silver Spring, MD

04/12/2009--Alexandria, VA

05/03/2009--Silver Spring, MD

06/14/2009--Alexandria, VA

RECOMMENDED SEARCH RELATED READING

ADOPTIONS FINALIZED IN WASHINGTON, DC

Adoptees, birthparents and birthfamily members may initiate a search by filing a petition (called a Motion to Break Seal) with the court that handled their adoption. You can prepare and file petition with the court. It is not necessary to hire an attorney to prepare and file the petition. Click the button below for more information.

PLEASE NOTE If the court approves the petition, it will then direct the agency that handled the adoption to conduct the search. The charge for the search may be as high as $450-500.00.

ADOPTIONS FINALIZED IN MARYLAND Effective October 1, 1999, legislative changes make it possible to initiate Adoption Search, Contact and Reunion activities on behalf of the adult adoptees or the birth parent(s). All requests are to be initiated through the Department of Human Resources, Social Services Administration's Adoptions Unit central office staff at:

Mutual Consent Registry and Adoption Search Services Department of Human Resources 311 West Saratoga Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 1-800-39-ADOPT

ADOPTIONS FINALIZED IN VIRGINIA If you were adopted in Virginia you can initiate a search for birth family by filling out an Adoptee Application For Disclosure. Forms can be obtained from: Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services ATTN: Adoption Unit 730 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219-1849 Your request for forms must include your full adopted name, date of birth, current name, address, and telehone number. The agency that was involved in the adoption will be designated to conduct the search. The agency is allowed to charge a fee for the search. The agency has 8 months to conduct the search, but an extension can be granted for good cause with your permission.

When the search is completed the agency will send a report to the Adoptions Unit recommending whether to grant or deny the disclosure of indentifying information. Applications are usually denied if the birth family is not located, or is deceased or is unwilling to authorize disclosure.

If your application is denied, or the Adoption Unit fails to designate a search agency within 30 days, you can petition the court for disclosure. A Virginia resident can petition the Circuit Court where they reside, all others must petition the Richmond City Circuit Court.

For answers to questions you have regarding the application or search process, contact:

Suzanne Ashford 804-726-7523 or Jackie Gill 804-726-7526

For further information, contact ABSN at:
6439 Woodridge Road Alexandria, VA 22312-1336
or
ABSNmail@verizon.net
or
(301) 442-9106

Click here for Registries and other search related information