FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT POST ADOPTION

As a Marywood birthparent, can I receive an update on my child's progress?

Many adoptive families keep in touch with Marywood by sending updates and pictures of their children. Copies of these updates can be provided to birthparents if they are available. To request an update, please send a notarized letter to Marywood stating your specific request.

Can I write a letter for the adoptive or birth family?

Yes. Marywood facilitates the exchange of correspondence between birth and adoptive families. It is important to understand that before exchanging letters, both parties must consent to this exchange. If the other party does not consent, your letter will be held in the file until we receive a request from that party to receive the correspondence.

Can you tell me if the birth or adoptive family has sent correspondence for me?

Marywood asks that you request this service by sending a notarized letter stating your request.

Mine was a closed adoption. Will I ever be able to have contact with my birth family?

Though adoption records in Texas are sealed, there are a variety of services that facilitate contact and reunions between birthparents and adoptees. Two of these are our adoption registry and our search services.

I placed my child for adoption. How will my birth child know I am open to contact?

Birthparents can make themselves available for contact with their birth child without actively searching. Keep your contact information current and join the adoption registry. If your birth child contacted Marywood in the future requesting contact, then the birthparent would be notified of the adoptee’s contact.

Does Marywood offer support groups?

While Marywood does not offer support groups at this time, we refer clients in the Austin area to Adoption Knowledge Affiliates:link to www.adoptionknowledge.org. Clients residing outside of the Austin area may call Marywood for referrals in their area.

I was adopted from Marywood. Will you assist me in locating my birthparent?

Marywood may be able to use the information in the files to find the person whom you desire to contact. We will search on behalf of an adult adoptee. The first step is to join the adoption registry. Also, one hour of counseling is required as a part of the search process.

I believe I have located my birthparent. Should I contact Marywood?

We do not encourage independent searches; however, with the information available on the Internet today, searches are often successful. If you are successful, we hope that you will notify Marywood and let us make the first contact. That first contact is the most important and should be handled with great care and consideration. Marywood has been doing this for many years! Even if you prefer to make the first contact, we can provide you with information about the issues you should consider beforehand.

I am not interested in post adoption services at this time. Can I still update my contact information?

Marywood encourages all of our birth and adoptive families to keep their contact information updated in our files. Please send a notarized letter with this updated information. This letter will be posted in your file.

Other questions? Contact Marywood at PostAdopt@marywood.org

Click below to download Marywood's Social/Medical History Update Form: