Amara has changed a lot over the years, and during most of that time we were known as an “adoption agency.” Today though, we are known as a reunification-focused foster and kinship care agency that works to reduce the trauma of the system for those experiencing foster care and to prevent child welfare system involvement whenever possible. When children are unable to reunify with their parent(s), Amara helps assist caregivers in moving toward a guardianship or adoption.
If you are looking for our Adoption Openness Assessment and/or information about the Inclusive Family Support Model, including the short explainer video about it, please click here.
If you are looking for post-adoption support and resources, please visit our resource section here.
Adoption Documents
Because Amara was an orphanage over 100 years ago, then became an adoption agency for decades afterward, and still works with families to finalize adoptions when other permanency options have failed, Amara is the legal custodian of many sealed adoption records. There are laws in Washington State that protect the privacy of adoptees and their biological family members, and there are resources available that allow adoptees and birth family members to search for each other and receive at least some information about their history.
Amara is able to provide some limited information to adoptees, birth family members, and adoptive family members. Please email postadopt@amarafamily.org with your specific questions and to receive assistance.
Under Washington State law, a search for an adopted person’s birth relatives must be conducted by a certified Confidential Intermediary.
The Washington Adoption Reunion Movement (WARM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reuniting families separated by adoption. They serve adoptees, birth family members, and adoptive families with information, referral, support, and search services, including performing DNA analysis to name and locate birth fathers. WARM has been reuniting families since 1976. You can visit WARM online to learn more.