Adoption

Catholic Charities is a state-licensed child-placing agency. We work with birth parents and adoptive couples to facilitate infant adoption services, conduct home studies, and assist with search and reunion services. In working with birth parents, we help explore thoughts and feelings about parenting as well as create an adoption plan. A final decision about any adoption belongs to the birth parents. Adoptions are open as we believe children are best served by preserving their connection to their family of origin. 

If you are interested in learning more about our adoption program, please visit http://www.adoptionassociationks.org/ for more information. You may also provide your information below and you will be contacted by one of our adoption workers.

In the past, most adoptions were “closed", meaning that little or no information was shared between the adoptive family and the birth parents. Adult adoptees often want to know about their birth families for various reasons. These reasons include curiosity (“Who do I look like?” “Where do my abilities come from?”), a need for connection (“I want to know my biological siblings.”) or medical background information (“Does cancer run in my biological family?).

In the state of Kansas, adoption records are available to adult adoptees. This means that even if adoptees have little information, the adoption agency may release some information about the adoption. Adult adoptees may contact Catholic Charities to gain information about their birth parents. Within the confines of the law and from its records, we can: 

• Provide non-identifying information, which includes a summary of the birth parents' social and health background

• Provide identifying information, which includes names, social, and medical history, and legal documents found in the original court petition for adoption

• Conduct a birth parent search, which will locate birth families and then act as a liaison between the adoptee and birth family in arranging phone calls or in-person meetings (There is a fee for this service.)

•  Counseling for all members of the adoption triad (adoptee, adoptive couple, and birth parent

To obtain adoption records, a signed Affidavit of Identity must be completed and signed by the adult adoptee, notarized, and returned to any Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas location. An adoption specialist will speak with the adoptee to determine what information is desired and will determine if the records are available, as well as what information may be legally released. Copies of this information will be forwarded to the adoptee. You can download these forms and access additional information below.

Release of Infomation  Affidavit of Proof of Identity 
  Affidavit of Consent   Search and Reunion FAQ