Adoption-Ed 101: What is Identifying Information?

Unlike non-identifying information, identifying information does what it sounds like, gives the identities of the involved parties. This is not to be confused with the OBC, because that is an official document with the other information that is included in birth certificates. See the usual state law disclaimer here. This is an area that I am not 100% sure of because I did not do the research I should have before I started my search so I did not know that I had access to this information.

In my state, when an adoptee turns 21, they can request their identifying information from the agency where they were adopted from. The agency then attempts to get the consent of the natural parents to release that information. If consent is not given or the natural parents cannot be found, then the information is never released.

If you have followed the Oprah reunion story in the news, you are watching a classic example of why this is not a solution to the problem of not having OBCs opened or by requiring consent. Oprah’s sister tried to get her identifying information, but her natural mother would not give consent. Instead, Patricia was given her non-identifying information and because her sister was famous, she was able to figure it out. That’s one fantasy though that rarely comes true where an adoptees family is actually famous. The rest of us would have been up the creek without a paddle.

I also wanted to note that identifying information is not a substitute for a OBC.  Identifying information cannot prove when or where you were born.  It is not a legal document.  It can not be used to prove the identity of an adoptee for a passport or job.  While it's a good start, it is no where close to having an OBC.

If you have better information about Identifying information or good resources for people, please post it in the comments! Thanks!