BIRTH FAMILY SEARCH
Useful Information
Russian Roots organization collaborates with several recognized partners, including Voice of Adoptees (La Voix d’Adoptés), Association of Parents Adopting in Russia (APAER) and Psychological Support Program for Adoptees (DAPHA). We also benefit from the support of Alexander Orlov, who served as the Russian ambassador to France from 2008 to 2017. Additionally, we are officially recognized as an association for adoptees by the Mission for International Adoption (MAI), which is affiliated with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, we are in the process of establishing a partnership with Rossotrudnichestvo (literally “Russian Cooperation”), which promotes cultural and linguistic ties between Russia and France. Lastly, an article about the activities of Russian Roots was featured in The Bear Magazine (L’Ours Magazine), and positive reviews from individuals who have reached out to us have already been published on our website.
All adoptees originally from Russia, no matter where they now reside. Although Russian Roots is a French association, we receive requests to start a search for biological family from around the world, including Spain, Italy, the United States, and Canada. Adoptive parents can also initiate searches on behalf of their adopted children, as can anyone who knows an individual adopted from Russia.
Before starting any investigation, you are asked to send us a copy of the adoption papers* (in Russian only) and pay the annual membership fee to join the association. Membership – which can be renewed annually – is required to proceed with the review of the adoption records. The review will be completed within approximately two weeks, after which the investigator will contact you. You have two options for submitting the adoption papers:
- Upload the documents and pay the membership fee through our website;
- Schedule an appointment with the investigator who will answer your questions and guide you through the process.
* If you do not have access to your adoption records, please refer to the section titled “I do not have access to my adoption file. What should I do?”.
To obtain a copy of your adoption records, you should contact the central authority in your country of residence responsible for emplementing the Hague Convention of 05/29/1993 on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The procedures for accessing adoption papers vary by country.
In the United States, adoption matters are overseen by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. However, adoption records are held by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) administration.
In Canada, adoption matters are overseen by provincial and territorial authorities.
In Ireland, the Adoption Authority of Ireland is the responsible body.
In the United Kingdom, adoption matters are handled by regional authorities. Adoption records are held by the Scottish Government (Scotland), the General Register Office (England and Wales), and HSC Adoption and Foster Care (Northern Ireland).
Currently, Pavel Closson, a French-Russian young man adopted in Russia in 2004, oversees the investigations. Fully bilingual, Pavel uses his personal experience in searching for biological relatives, along with his extensive network and deep knowledge of Russian laws and the country itself, to help other adoptees in reconnecting with their birth families. Passionate about the Russian and post-Soviet world, Pavel has a thorough understanding of both Russian and French administrative systems, and his meticulous and methodical approach to investigations has consistently produced successful results.
The search for biological family is conducted in two stages.
The first stage (preliminary):
- Investigating with Russian administrations;
- Gathering precise information and data about a fact or situation.
The second stage (on-site):
- Organizing meetings;
- Collecting testimonies, retrieving files, documents and photos;
- Connecting adoptees with their birth parents and siblings.
On-site investigations are crucial and involve travel and accommodation expenses, which are the responsibility of the interested individuals. Additionally, redacting a report on the birth family’s background and providing follow-up support are integral parts of the search process.
Adoptive parents or adoptees may have different approaches when starting a search for birth family. The association tailors its services to each situation and request offering the following guarantees:
- Strict confidentiality;
- Transparency in the results;
- Assistance with official documents, required authorizations and powers of attorney;
- Translation of documents;
- Regular updates on the progress of the search.
It varies widely. The search for biological family members is not bound by a specific timeframe. Depending on the case, the adoptee’s expectations, the place of origin, and the available or collected information, the investigation can take anywhere from a few days to several months to find documents and biological relatives.
Yes, because most Russian adoptees know at least the name of their biological mother. Once the investigator reaches out to Russian administrations or questions witnesses, they are likely to get information that will guide the search. For any adoptee, tracing biological family members in Russia is possible, though the speed of success can vary. The likelihood of finding them depends on several factors, including:
- The amount of available information;
- The presence of social media accounts;
- The adoptee’s age at the time of the search;
- The cooperation of contacts in Russia.
Yes. The search for biological parents carries risks both during and after the investigation. Biological families may come from different social backgrounds, leading to a range of possible reactions. A personalized approach is therefore preferred. This is why Russian Roots acts as an intermediary to prevent direct contact with the biological family at first, until they are ready to arrange a meeting.
For any questions that may arise after the search, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Yes, but only in specific cases. Depending on the complexity of the investigation, a power of attorney and parental authorization may be required. The power of attorney, granted by the adoptee to the investigator, will enable them to retrieve medical records or archived documents in the place of origin. For the issuance of vital records, it is essential for the adoptee, regardless of age, to obtain authorization from their adoptive parents. This authorization is necessary to waive the “adoption secrecy” mandated by Russian law.
You can request a sample power of attorney and authorization by contacting us.
The sooner, the better. In Russia, most archived documents, including medical records, have a maximum retention period of 25 years. If they haven’t been destroyed by then, they are often deteriorated over time, which can make them unusable. Witnesses can also provide valuable information about our origins, but they are not eternal, and their memories can fade or disappear. Therefore, it is highly recommended to start a search as soon as possible.
Russian Roots is a non-profit organization with no profit-making objectives. It relies primarily on membership fees and donations from supporters and patrons. However, for the birth family search, the association charges a flat fee of €900 per search to cover operational costs (travel, accommodation, translation, lawyer fees, postal and facilitation expenses, etc.). This fee is applicable regardless of the investigation’s duration or location and can be paid in two installments. Additionally, membership is required to begin the review of the adoption records. The annual membership fee is €35 (for those under 26) or €50 (for those 27 and older).