WASHINGTON Law/Reform

Washington State Law requires the release of non identifying information. This includes first names, age at time of adoption, brief biographical information that includes education level, religion, occupation, and immediate family description.

Confidential Intermediary (CI) Program

There is a Confidential Intermediary Program that allows the adoption file to be opened by a state sanctioned CI. The CI is able to use the information from the entire file to locate the "missing" person and determine if that person will allow direct contact. Upon release by both parties direct contact is allowed. There are fees associated with this.

An adoptee must be 25 years old to be contacted directly. Prior to age 25 the contact is made with the adoptive parents. Either party has the right to refuse contact. The CI may not disclose any identifying information. If both parties consent direct contact is allowed. Individual parties hire state certified and licensed CI's to conduct a search for them. The CI has access to all files.

Non identifying information is available from the Family Court a division of the Superior Court System at the county level in the county where the adoption took place. This is not always the same as the county of birth. In King County call Adoption Services and request a Non Identifying Information Request Form. 206-296-9350 voice mail is available 24 hours a day. The turn around on these forms is very quick.

There is no place on the form to request first names... write PROVIDE FIRST NAMES - in the white space. The cost as of 5/97 is $8.00 in the form of money order or cashiers check.

NOTE change in phone number for Pierce County:
The number in Pierce County is 253-597-7900. When they answer they will say something like "Raymond Hall". About 10 years ago they moved the adoption offices to the Juvenile courts system. The address is 5501 6th Ave Tacoma, WA. 98406.

Some of the smaller counties will give you a hard time and some will even refuse to give you information. They will try to refer you to WARM (Washington Adoption Rights Movement) a private non profit organization. WARM will do searches for you for a fee. They have mixed reviews. Some love them some don't.

If you have trouble with a small county contact the State Agency in charge; State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services Patrick A Weber Adoptions Program Manager Adoptions DCFS OB-41 Olympia, WA 98504.

Original Birth Certificates are available to the birth parent and are kept at the State Level. Contact the Bureau of Vital Records 1-360-753-5936.

Current Legislative Issues

Through the cooperation of many hard working volunteers legislation affecting adoption search will hopefully be presented during the '98 legislation session. These volunteers are continuing with intense follow-up from January through April to make sure the measure gets out of committee and to the floor of both houses.

Anyone who is not yet involved in this effort can contact Terri to offer their help and become a part of this movement.

Washington State - Open '98 is an organization for all individuals and families who have been touched by adoption. These individuals are interested in the effort to Open Adoption Records in Washington State during the 1998 Legislative Session.

The Legislation has been written for the restoration of Civil Rights to adult adoptees. A copy of the legislation will be forwarded to all subscribers. That is just the beginning. A great deal of grassroots effort must go into this in order for it to be successful. They need letter writers, phone callers, advocates and more. There is something for everyone to do, at their comfort level.

If you just want to be kept up to date or want to find out how you can help, sign up today for their e-mail Subscribers list. You don't have to be a resident of Washington State in order to help in this effort.

To subscribe to washingtonstateopen98, send an e-mail to was hingtonstateopen98-request@UserHome.com
In the body of the e-mail just put the one word "subscribe" without the quotes.

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