Frequently Asked Questions

Confidential Intermediaries are post-adoption liaisons between birth

parents, adopted children, and their siblings. Confidential Intermediaries help facilitate contact between parties of an adoption (adoption triad members) or siblings

separated as a result of a dependency action.

Confidential Intermediaries are individuals certified by the Arizona

Supreme Court's Certification and Licensing Division and the Confidential

Intermediary Program to perform closed adoption searches. 

 The Steps in an Adoption Reunification Are:

1. The first step begins with a confidential telephone call.  During this phone call, your needs are discussed, the process is explained, and fees and costs are discussed.
2. Required forms are sent to you.
3. You complete the forms and submit your information and payment.
4. The required paperwork is submitted for review of the sealed adoption records. These records may include items such as the original birth certificate, adoption agency files, and court adoption paperwork. (These records are confidential and may only be viewed by a Confidential Intermediary.  (They may not be photocopied or removed from the court.) 
5. Information acquired from these record reviews is used to locate your family member(s). 
6. We use phone calls, emails, and mail to make contact with the search subject. We take great care to keep the process private from other family members, friends, and co-workers. Once contact is made, we explain the process to the search subject and work with both parties to establish mutually agreed-upon terms for information exchange/contact. It takes time to make contact with the search subject, and sometimes the search subject needs time to process before moving forward.
7. Once we have written, completed, and notarized forms from both you and the family member you are wishing to locate and reunite with, then we can release information to you both.
8. Begin reunifying!

The State of Arizona regulates what fees can be charged for Confidential Intermediary Services.. Fees charged by Confidential Intermediaries are set by ACJA § 7-203.  

Arizona Adoption Reunification offers a free 3o minute, no-obligation consultation phone call.   Additionally, there are convenient payment options and payment plans if needed.

The Confidential Intermediary Program was established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1992, by enacting A.R.S. §8-134 (adoption triad member searches). 

In 2007, the Arizona State Legislature extended the role of the Confidential Intermediary Program to include the Sibling Information Exchange Program (SIX) by enacting A.R.S. §8-543, which provides former dependent children the ability to locate and stay in touch with siblings separated by a dependency action.

Under both statutes, Confidential Intermediaries are provided access to court records to obtain information necessary to locate the sought-after party. Consent from all parties is required to share identifying information.

Confidential Intermediaries must complete training requirements, comply with a background review, and pass a certification examination administered by the Certification and Licensing Division of the Arizona Supreme Court.

1. The adoptive parents of an adoptee who is at least eighteen years of age or, if the adoptive parents are deceased, the adoptee's guardian.

2. An adoptee if the adoptee is at least eighteen years of age.

3. If an adoptee is deceased, the adoptee's spouse if the spouse is the legal parent or guardian of any child of the adoptee.

4. If an adoptee is deceased, any progeny of the adoptee who is at least eighteen years of age.

5. Either of the birth parents of an adoptee.

6. The biological grandparent of the adoptee or other members of the adoptee's extended biological family.

7. A biological sibling of the adoptee if the sibling is at least eighteen years of age.

Confidentiality

In closed adoption searches, consent is required by both parties before any identifying information can be shared. If one party refuses to consent to share information, no information can be shared 

Resources 

Confidential Intermediaries are authorized to inspect sealed court records, state "division agency" records, maternity home and adoption agency records not otherwise available to the public. 

Medical Information

With a written statement from a physician, the court may order non-identifying medical information to be provided regardless of an adoptee’s age.

Sensitivity & Professionalism

Confidential Intermediaries are trained to handle sensitive situations with the utmost professionalism.

 Sibling Information Exchange Program (SIX)
The Sibling Exchange Program (SIX) provides an opportunity for former dependent children to stay in touch and exchange information with their siblings (brothers and sisters). It includes adopted children and those in foster care, group homes, or residential treatment centers.
You may participate in SIX if you are one of the following:

• 18 years or older and a former dependent child.
• 17 or under and a former dependent child. If under 18, your participation must include your adoptive parent, guardian or biological parent if he or she has legal custody and is not involved in a current juvenile court dependency case.
• Over 18 and you are the sibling of a former dependent child.