Confidential Intermediary Services

We recommend that all of those who enter the Intermediary Program prepare themselves for this very emotional journey by reading adoption-related materials and by joining local adoption groups or online groups.  You may also consider consultation with a counselor who is familiar with adoption issues.

**New legislation effective 10/1/2010, will expand access to the current Confidential Intermediary Program. Services may now be available to adoptees 18 years of age and older.  If a birth parent is deceased, adult birth family members may now be contacted without a court order. CHS may now agree to act as a confidential intermediary for specified family members of a deceased adoptee or birth parent or with written consent of a living adoptee or birth parent. In addition, if a birth parent is deceased, CHS can attempt to secure a death certificate and deliver it to the person who requested services.**

In 2007, the NC General Assembly passed legislation that allows CHS to act as a confidential intermediary for a biological parent, an adult adoptee (age 21 or older), or an adult lineal descendant of a deceased adoptee in order to obtain and share non-identifying birth family health information. If both parties want contact, CHS may share identifying information with the written consent of the individuals involved.  Further, CHS may agree to act as a confidential intermediary for the adoptive parents of a minor adoptee to obtain and share non-identifying birth family health information. If a search reveals that a biological parent is deceased, the law does NOT allow CHS to contact relatives of the biological parent.  The adoptee can file a motion with the Clerk of Court in the county where their adoption was finalized requesting permission for relatives of the deceased biological parent to be contacted by CHS.

If you are interested in intermediary services, you may send a letter to Post Adoption, CHS, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415.  Include your full name, date of birth, a copy of your driver’s license or other photo identification, and all contact information including your email address.  If you are an adoptee, we will need the names of your adoptive parents. If you are a birth parent, we will need the name you used at the time you received services through the agency.

As of June 15, 2009, a non-refundable fee of $500 will be charged to cover the cost of the search and other intermediary services if your adoption was processed by CHS. If your adoption was processed by a different agency, a non-refundable fee of $600 will be charged.  The fee covers the cost of:

• Counseling and preparation for the search.
  
• An in-house records review or a request for records from the agency who handled your adoption.
  
• A search for one individual. A fee of $200 will be charged to search for each additional individual.
  
• Contact with the person found in an attempt to obtain current non-identifying health and background information.
  
• Discussion of the person’s willingness to share identifying information or to have contact with the applicant.  With the written consent of both parties, CHS can facilitate the release of identifying information.

As of June 15, 2009, if CHS has a current address and phone number of the party being sought and no search is necessary, there will be a non-refundable fee of $200 to be paid by the person initiating services.  This fee will cover:

• Counseling and preparation for contact.
  
• An in-house records review.
  
• Contact to ascertain willingness for the person being sought to share identifying information or have contact.  With the written consent of both parties, CHS can facility the release of identifying information.

Additional counseling services related to the intermediary program can be requested at a charge of $60 per hour.

When we are ready to begin your search, you will be sent a packet of information which will include an application for services, a contract, and a release of liability.  At this point you will be instructed to pay your service fee.  You may pay online through the link listed in your packet or you may pay by check made payable to CHSNC. Please do not submit payment before you have been instructed to do so.

For more information, please call 1-800-632-1400 or contact us.