S.C.A.R. - South Carolina Adoption Reform

 Adoption Records have been closed since 1963.

The state only has records of adoptions that went thru the Department of Social Services.

What does this mean to adoptees?  How does an adoptee get their current medical information? What if the adoption was not done by DSS.

Department of Social Services of S C will only reunite the adoptee and birth parent are registered with the state.  Other Agencies  have their own registries and both parties have to register an affidavit of consent at the discretion of the chief executive officer of the agency.  What if the other part is deceased?   How do we get current medical?

When an agency or attorney closes their business, there is not a statute that the files be retained or turned over to the state or how long the file has to be kept by the attorney or agency as the state only keeps records for the adoptions they handle.

Current Genetic and Medical information is impossible to obtain without contacting the birth family.
Adoptees are not entitled to the same civil rights as other citizens that know their heritage and medical background.  The need for medical information  is imperative for adoptees and their children. 

Adoptees work, vote, fight for our country and pay taxes.  The adult adoptee is not a child
It is important that a distinction is made that we are not considered "Children/minors/or an adopted child" under the law.

Do you have time to get signatures on a petition?
Would your speak with your Senator and Representative regarding the needs of adoptees to have access to their birth information.

The release of the original birth certificate will make equal access to all adoptees.

There will also be the issue of privacy to the birth mother that will arise, so a contact preference may be necessary - such as the law that passed in Oregon.

Our goal is to educate the lawmakers the needs adoptees age 21 or over access to their original birth certificate and to open the original birth certificate to the adoptee.  

Please check back often as updates will be posted.

If you are interested in getting involved  - now is the time!!!!!!!!!   Please email us.