Domestic Post Adoption

Confidential & Respectful

We are happy to provide domestic post adoption services to adopted adults, birth parents, and adoptive parents whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home or LSS.

We are also pleased to provide services to individuals with adoptions completed by:

 

If you do not know your placing agency, you can Complete this MN Adopt Search Form to get the name of your placing agency and the court that issued your adoption decree.

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Search & Reunion Services

Searches can be conducted on behalf of adopted adults, birth parents, adoptive parents, birth family, or adoptive family members who are seeking updated medical history or contact with one another. According to Minnesota state law, adoptees must be 19 years of age or older.

As part of the search process, we facilitate the exchange of genetic/medical information and provide support to all individuals involved; those who are initiating the search as well as those whom we contact. Prior to your search, our social worker will talk with you about your motivation to search and the range of possible outcomes. If desired, the social worker will connect you with support systems and services during the search and reunion journey.

Once the search is complete, our staff can act as an intermediary to support the developing relationship, maintain confidentiality as desired, and assist in navigating any challenges as they arise.

If you are seeking updated medical information only and do not wish to facilitate contact, our search services are offered at a reduced fee. You may also re-open a previous search if we were unable to locate or contact relatives during your first search.

Contact [email protected] or call 651.255.2371 to request a service packet and learn more.

Note: You may apply to our Adoption Support Fund to cover fees associated with your service(s).

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Non-Identifying Background Information

Adopted adults and/or adoptive parents may request a report detailing the social and medical background of the adopted person’s birth family. This report is compiled from information located in the file at the time of the adoption plan. In addition to medical history obtained at the time of adoption, it may include information about the birth family such as physical descriptions, ethnic background, religious affiliation, schooling, talents, or hobbies. Information regarding the birth parents’ relationship and motivation for adoption may be included.

Updates & Other Special Requests

Adopted adults, adoptive parents, and birth parents are able to request for their file to be checked for updates or requests for contact from other members of the adoption triad. Requests for paternity status may also be available.

An adopted adult placed after August 1, 1982, may be able to receive identifying information from their placing agency about one or both of their birth parents named on the original birth records, provided neither birth parent filed an Affidavit of Non-Disclosure and they were informed of the law. Under these circumstances, the identity of the birth parents named on the birth certificate, including birth dates, last known addresses, and birthplace may be shared.

Contact [email protected] or call 651.255.2371 to request a service packet and learn more.

Note: You may apply to our Adoption Support Fund to cover fees associated with your service(s).

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Release of Information

Your permission is needed to release information to a third party. Authorization is needed annually and preferences can be changed at any time. Release forms can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to your social worker or sent to Post Adoption, 1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN 55108

When submitting the Release of Information Form, please include your full name and contact information even if you are not authorizing the release of that information to other parties- this allows us to contact you with any questions if necessary.

Release of Information Form

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 651.255.2371

Note: You may apply to our Adoption Support Fund to cover fees associated with your service(s).

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Vital Records

By law, Children’s Home and LSS do not maintain or release official copies of birth records, death certificates, or other vital records. These records need to be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health.

MN Office of Vital Records

Birth Parent Contact Preference

For birth parents named on the original record of an adopted person to indicate whether they would like to be contacted by the adopted person.

Birth Parent Contact Preference

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Services for Adults Who Aged Out of Foster Care

If you aged out of foster care after parental rights were terminated, while under the guardianship of Hennepin or Ramsey county, we can provide a broad range of post-foster care services. These include non-identifying background reports as well as search and outreach to birth relatives as outlined above.

These post-foster care services are paid for through a contract with Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 651.255.2371

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Family Support Coach for Foster Adoptive Families

You may apply to our Adoption Support Fund to cover fees associated with your service(s)

We do not want the fees for services to be a barrier to individuals looking for post adoption support. Please contact us to inquire about our Adoption Support Fund grants for individuals adopted through Children’s Home & LSS. Applicants are evaluated based on financial criteria including need, income ($100,000 gross income or less with a $10,000 deduction for each child in the home), expenses, assets, and debts. Grants typically range from $70 – $3,000. Please contact Kristina Berg for an Adoption Support Fund application.

Learn More About Our Family Support Coach Program