My name is Mary and I'm adopted. Is there a way to find my birth parents? My adopted parents are deceased. I was 9 days old when the foster family took me. My last name used to be 'Clark'.

I was born in Burlington, Vermont. No remaining family know anything. I haven't checked County records yet.


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If I am reading this correctly you were placed in foster care at 9 days old and later adopted by another family.

The only way to find your foster and/or birth parents is to post on one of the many sites which allow people searching for children or parents to post all the info they have with the hope that someone will recognize the situation and answer.

Your records are sealed. I doubt a search of County records would yield any info. Occasionally an original birth certificate be located (and you do know your birth name) but that's usually due to an error. An amended because is filed when the adoption is finalized.

If this was many years ago, they still posted births in the local newspapers and sometimes you can match up info. You mentioned foster parents, so there may be info from the foster care system.

Next with the name Clark it is harder, but you start calling everyone with that last name in the area, and see if they know anything.

There is a really great sticky about searching for birthparents or children placed for adoption on the AMHD Adoption boards. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/adoption/looking-birthparents-children-given-adoption-401680.html

Generally the ONLY way you can go through the courts is to prove a medical need for the information. Otherwise, your best bet is to post as much information as you have on reunion websites and hope that your birthfamily is also looking.