Identity Rights and access to origins Every person has a universal right to know who they are and where they come from.

Protecting rights

Search for Origins is a sensitive and personal process

Search for Origins covers the series of steps a person undertakes in order to access information on their origins.

Based on its extensive field-experience and expertise related to post adoption services, especially in cross-border access to records, information, search and reunion, ISS is well-equipped to provide individualised support to adoptees and their families.

Background

Right to access information

The identity rights of adoptees and their general pledge to access accurate and reliable information on their origins has gathered increased recognition at international level. Many States are reviewing their past adoption practices as well as current adoption laws/policies, to introduce specialised post adoption services, with a particular focus on search for origins. Many governments and partners turn to ISS for technical advice, knowledge, and support.

ISS cross border casework practice has shown that many adoptees feel the need to access information about their birth family, country of origin, culture, language, and genetic heritage. This can be a very sensitive process for individuals who frequently have minimal support and knowledge of how to navigate overseas adoption records or access information.

In 2022, an ISS working group was established bringing together experts from Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, France, and the General Secretariat, all with longstanding experience in Search for Origins. As the demand and work in this field continue to grow, the pool of experts is expanding. Their expertise can be called upon and applied across a range of activities.

ISS has also developed a database containing country-specific information on Search for Origins.

ISS objectives

Through different levels of intervention, ISS aims to achieve the following objectives

Support Families

To provide individualised and multifaceted support to adoptees and their families.

Building Capacity

To contribute to the systematic capacity building of professionals of both civil society organisations and government entities by organising training workshops and technical assistance, and country missions.

Raising Awareness

To raise awareness on the needs of adoptees and their families, and to create a supportive environment.

ISS cross border casework methodology

ISS emphasises the importance of holistic social work through support and counselling at every stage of the process, covering five key steps.

1. Pre-Search counselling

Offer counselling before people start their search for origins to understand their motivations and manage their expectations.

2. Info gathering

Support people during their search by helping them to gather information.

3. Tracing

Help with tracing and connect with the ISS partner in country of origin to see which services are available.

4. Counselling and support

Provide counselling and support in case of reunification, by helping the person searching for their origins to write an introduction letter putting wishes and needs into words without overwhelming the other side.

5. Mediation

Offer mediation services if both sides want to establish a contact by offering a place where to meet and accompany them during a first meeting.

Spotlight on ISS technical assistance

Joint Project with ISS France

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the French Central Adoption Authority decided to fund a joint technical assistance project to support ISS pilot initiatives in several countries including Bulgaria, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Nepal, Philippines, Romania, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka. 

The overall objectives of the technical assistance project are to:

• Contribute concretely to ensuring tailored professional and holistic support throughout search for origins processes for adoptees around the globe, and provide assistance to them and their families throughout the entire process, both in receiving States and States of origin. 
• Strengthen the capacities of professionals from both civil society organisations and government entities through the development of specialised training modules and dedicated webinars on Search for Origins and family reunification.
• Raise awareness of the support needs of adoptees and their families, and foster a supportive environment at both policy and practical levels.

In addition, staff from the ISS General Secretariat and ISS France are providing tailored support through in-country missions.