The path of choice to conduct a birth family search can vary from adoptee to adoptee. For those whose adoptive parents kept their documents for the adoptee, the journey can be a little easier because adoption agencies often redact pertinent information from adoptee files before dispatching them. For some, they are starting from scratch, having received no aid from their adoptive parents, and not knowing where to go from there.
As of the July 19, 2025, responsibility for management of adoption files and adoption information disclosure requests transferred away from the agencies and to the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC.) Going forward, the NCRC is the organization to whom you should make requests for your files and/or birth family searches. There is a pause on the NCRC receiving new requests that they say will be lifted on September 15, 2025. Begin the process here, with petitions available in English or French. You will need to create a login if you do not already have one. Once you submit your petition, the process can take months. As difficult as it may be to be patient, it is necessary.
If you need to contact your agency, do so this way:
Eastern Social Welfare Society – postadoption@eastern.or.kr
Holt Children’s Services – pasc@holt.or.kr
Korea Welfare Services (formerly Social Welfare Services) – swspas@kws.or.kr
Korea Social Services – kssinc@kssinc.org
Other Resources for Birth Family Searches
GOA’L (Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link)
325Kamra is a Birth Family Search Organization that assists with DNA testing in Korea and Worldwide and provide genetic genealogy services
Korean Adoptee Resource Hub 