My name is Jessica Newton, I am 18 and really interested in finding my birth parents. I live in Sandy, Utah and was born on June 26th, 1990. I was given up for adoption at 17 months old and was born in Livermore, California. If anyone has any information I would really appreciate your help in this.

Right Jessica. Now I'm no expert on this kind of thing but I have a friend who was in the same position as you. First thing you have to do is get a copy of your birth certificate because your birth mothers name will be on it. Then take it to the police and tell what is going on and give them your mothers name. After 2 or 3 weeks, the police will contact you and will give you all the information they can on where your mothers last known place was. Then you will hopefully be able to find her. Now, I don't know what you can do about your birth father unless he is with your mother, but if not then your mother will either tell you if she knows or the police will have to take a DNA tell to find out who your father is and then they will do the same thing as will have done for you to find your mother. I hope this helps Jessica. Let me know what happens.
Good Luck xx

Okay... the above advice is completely wrong.

When you are legally adopted, your ADOPTIVE parents' names are on your birth certificate.

Calling the police will get you nowhere and nothing, except laughed at.

Most searches take a minimum of months, many take years.

DNA testing is useless if you have nothing to compare it to---like the birthfather's DNA.

Vato, you start with your adoptive parents. Get as much information from them as you can. Then, go to the adoption agency. They may have information on file for your birthmother that she has placed there for you. If not, generally they will allow you to leave information with them that will give her YOUR contact information if SHE is looking.

Next, go to the courthouse in the county you were born. Do the same thing there--check for information in your file (it's usually with your birth certificate) or leave the same information for your birthmom.

Register at as many adoption sites that have reunion boards as you can. Adoption.com and ISRR - International Soundex Reunion Registry - FREE are two that I know of that have had good results.

Good luck!