Finding your lost ones…
Lying was always morally wrong - Immanuel Kant
DNA doesn’t lie
Have you considered taking a DNA test to find your lost ones? It can be a bit daunting trying to navigate through DNA results, but people have successfully found their lost family this way, and there are people or ‘search angels’ who can assist with DNA searching. Here’s a blog that sets out the steps to using DNA to locate family lost through adoption.
Searching using social media
There are a number of Aotearoa/New Zealand-specific Facebook groups where people ask for, or provide, help or information to help find people or family lost through adoption or for other reasons. There is a wealth of knowledge in these groups on how to navigate DNA results and how to search when DNA is not sufficient to find a lost one. You might like to check these ones out:
Born in Aotearoa New Zealand
The first step is to contact Oranga Tamariki – Adoption Information and Services Unit and request any information about your lost ones (0508 326 459). It is likely they will only give you non-identifying information.
Obtaining an original birth certificate
If you are adopted and aged 20 or over, the Adult Adoption Information Act 1985 allows you to apply for a copy of your original birth certificate. To do this make an application to the Department of Internal Affairs using their online form.
Your certificate will be sent to the Oranga Tamariki branch that is nearest your home. It will give the date and place of your birth, sex, and original first names if they were put on the register. It may show basic natural parent details.
If the details of one or both of your natural parents appear on the original birth certificate you must nominate a counsellor from the list on the form and your birth certificate will be sent to them. This person then contacts you and arranges for you to collect the certificate.
If there is a veto has been placed by either of your birth parents, you will receive the certificate directly to the address you have provided on the form but it will not contain details of your parents. A veto lasts for ten years but can be lifted at any time. You can ask Oranga Tamariki if there is a letter on your file from the person that placed he veto explaining why they did so.
Note: Even if you find a veto has been placed you can still continue your search. A veto only stops identifying information being released by the Department of Internal Affairs and Oranga Tamariki.
Note: Only natural parents of people adopted before 1 March 1986, and adopted people aged 19 and over can place a veto. People who are adopted after 28 February 1986 may register vetoes once they are 19, but no similar provision exists for the natural parents of this group. Natural parents and adopted people prior to the 1985 Adult Adoption Information Act (s3 & s7)can still renew or place a veto.
Finding your natural parents
Natural mother
Your original pre-adoptive birth certificate will usually show your natural mother’s full name, age, marital status, her maiden name (if married), and her place of birth. Start by searching the current telephone directory – www.whitepages.co.nz to see if there is a listing for a current address.
All births, deaths and marriages are currently public property. Search electoral rolls from the date of your birth for your natural mother and also for other family members (parents and siblings). Major city public libraries hold every New Zealand electoral roll from 1853 to present. It may be easier to trace your natural mother through her parents and siblings, especially if she was very young at the time of your birth. For instance, her parents may have resided in the same street in the same town until their death. Death certificates of either parent will not only show the date of death but also how many surviving children (if any), their sex and ages. Their death notice in the local newspaper will give names of family members and possibly the married name of your natural mother and where she resided at the time of the death. This can sometimes be the easiest and fastest way to trace your natural mother, as searching the indexes for her marriage or death can be very time consuming and may not provide successful results, especially if natural parents are living and married or have died overseas.
For information on obtaining copies of birth, death and marriage certificates contact the Dept of Internal Affairs – www.dia.govt.nz.
If it is available, obtain a photocopy, or ‘image’ copy, of a certificate. This will have more information e.g. officiating minister and witnesses and may lead you to people who know about your birth mother and her family.
Natural father
Your natural father will not be mentioned unless he is on the original birth certificate.. The Adoption Unit may have information about him and will give you non-identifying information about him. You will need your father’s first name to begin a search. Your natural mother or biological relatives may have some information. If you have his full name follow the search process is the same as searching for your natural mother.
Organisations that may be able to help …
Your local support group is a good place to start.
Adoption Information and Services Unit Oranga Tamariki - offers support and information for adopted adults who are searching for birth parents – both pre and post reunion.
Jigsaw - Search and contact was founded in 1978 by adopted adults, birth parents and adoptive parents. It is a not-for-profit Australian organisation that provides – information, counselling, search and intermediary services to people separated from family for many different reasons. There is also a section for New Zealand adoptions.
The Auckland City Library has some tips and resources to help you find information about your birth parents.
Birth Deaths and Marriages, Department of Internal Affairs www.bdm.govt.nz