7 Ways to Find Out If Someone Is Adopted
If you think that there is a chance that you are adopted, you will be experiencing a flood of emotions. Many of us go through periods where we feel disconnected from our family and start to think that we might not be related to them at all.
Even when your relationship with those who have raised you is perfect, it is still perfectly natural to wonder. You may even begin investigating the different ways on how to find out if someone is adopted. One thing to always keep in mind is that you should try to be open and honest with those you love during the course of your investigations.
If you are wondering how to find out if someone is adopted, here are some methods for you or your friends to try out:
1. Ask your parents
If you have any suspicions about your origins, the first place you should look is your parents. They are the best source to find out if someone is adopted. You might think that you are entitled to this information, and you are. You should bear in mind that this might be a very sensitive and emotional topic for your parents.
You should begin with telling them that your love for them will never change no matter what. Explaining why you are asking too can be important as well. A word of warning. You need to be fairly sure that you are adopted before you ask them about this. Or at the very least have good reason to ask.
2. Talk with other family members
If you have older siblings or cousins, they can be a great way to find out more information about your past. In general, any family members are good resources to find out if somebody is adopted. There are so many casual ways for you to ask probing questions. For example, does anyone remember your mother going to the hospital to give birth to you? Aunts and Uncles can also be a great resource too.
You can even ask them trick questions too. “How long did my parents have to wait before they adopted me”. While this can yield great results, it might also damage your relationship with the relative that you have tricked.
3. Learn about genetic traits
Dominant and recessive genes are a very useful tool to help you find out if you are adopted or not. Things like hair colour, eye colour, freckles, and many other physical attributes can be indicative of genetic similarities.
A word of warning on using this a method to find out if you are adopted or not using this method. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It is important that you put the time in to fully understand how genes work before making any conclusions as to how both of your parents have blue eyes and you don’t.
You can also take a genetic test. This will provide you with some very valuable information as to your genetic code. You could even get one as a gift for your parents and siblings. Their reaction to this as a gift might tell you more than the actual test does.
4. Study family photo albums
If you want to find out if somebody is adopted, family photo albums could be a great help. You should look through all of your parent’s old family photo albums. You might find that there are pictures of your mother pregnant with you. On the other hand, you might also find a suspicious lack of pictures of you as a baby.
5. Document checks
Documentation is one of the best ways on how to find out if somebody is adopted. You should be able to get ahold of your birth certificate. This will have the name of the father and mother on it. If your parents are a little cagey about the location of your birth certificate then you should start to get a little suspicious. The best thing about this option for finding our where you’re from is that there are many completely innocent reasons for you to ask for your birth certificate.
You might need it for a school project or to apply for a passport. No matter what the reason this can be a very nice way to open up the discussion. Your parents will probably open a dialogue with you before they show you the birth certificate if you are adopted.
6. Research birth records on your own
There is nothing stopping you from conducting your own research. There are often many local resources that can help you find records of your birth. You might get a little frustrated as a lot of these records will be incomplete. It can also take a frustrating amount of time to find the records that you are looking for.
A record of birth is a good place to start, depending on where you live, you may also be able to access public adoption records.
7. Talk to people you know who are adopted
If you know anyone who is adopted you should speak with them. They will be able to share their experiences with you. During this time of self-discovery, it is vital that you look out for your own mental health. Even if you think you are prepared for the news to break that you are adopted, it can be quite jarring.
