4 mins read

Open Records Adoption

An open records adoption provides a legal avenue for an adult, who was adopted as a child, to review all records pertaining to his adoption. Typically, the right is granted through a court order. Once the order is given, the adopted person has access to all records pertaining to his adoption to do with as he wishes. Open records adoptions have caused many debates surrounding the rights of the adopted child compared to the rights to privacy by the birth family.

3 mins read

How to Find Ancestors’ Marriage Records in the US

You’ve started your family tree, only now you’ve been bitten by the genealogy bug, which is seldom curable and almost always contagious. Genealogy can seem like a time tunnel into the past. Sooner or later, you’re going to want to document the information you’ve gathered, such as birth, death and marriage records. Birth and death records are usually found in each state’s archives, but finding marriage records for your ancestors in the U.S. is a whole different game.

3 mins read

About Adoption Records

For birth parents and adoptive parents, adoption is one of the most loving things to do. In traditional adoptions, there are laws in place to protect the identity of all those involved. There is certain information given to the adoptive parents; however, there are times when more information is needed, such as in medical situations. There are also times when either the adoptive person or the biological family wishes to seek contact with the other. Each state has laws in place to address these situations.

10 mins read

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s Name Change: What Parents Need to Know

This week, social media is buzzing with the news that Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has filed a request to legally drop "Pitt" from her hyphenated surname on her 18th birthday this month. Shiloh’s decision has ignited a plethora of reactions online, from fiesty discussions about “Brangelina” family dynamics, celebrity relationships…