It is strongly recommended that an intermediary service is sought when any person is thinking of approaching a birth relative, as there is no way of knowing the persons' present circumstances or who in their current life knows about past events. An intermediary would be able to use tried and tested approach methods and may be able to allay feelings of threat. It is not recommended that relatives be approached personally. We are able to advise on where to find an intermediary in your area. A list of intermediaries can also be found on the BAAF website.  Please see our RESOURCES guide.

The UK Adoption Tracing Service will provide a LETTERBOX contact service where addresses can remain confidential but correspondence can be passed between parties. However, this is not an intermediary service and no service is provided for approaching found relatives.

This service is provided only by express request, following the successful search of a person that has resulted in finding their current address and where an intermediary service has been used or successful contact has already been made.  This service is used for letter correspondence where the address of either party is to remain confidential. Both parties must also agree to receive mail.

This request can be made either at the conclusion of a search or at any time in the future where contact has been successfully made through an approved intermediary. It is understood that often time is needed to absorb and come to terms with the next step of the journey in reunion so this aspect of the service will remain open to our clients.

On activation of this part of the service the letterbox can remain in use free of charge for up to one year.
All mail that is to be sent on to a recipient must have the necessary postage already in place.

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