encyclopedia of adoption

Adoptees' Liberty Movement Association (ALMA)

A search organization, which primarily provides information to adopted adults or birthparents seeking each other.

Founded in 1971 by an adult adopted person, Florence Fisher, ALMA membership today includes adopted persons over age 18, birthparents of adopted persons over age 18, birthparents of adopted minor children (ALMA will not provide search assistance to birthparents searching for minor children), foster children, and adoptive parents. Other birth relatives are also eligible for membership, for example, birth grandparents and birth siblings.

The organization is based in New York and has chapters nationwide; ALMA assists adopted persons, adoptive parents and birthparents when the child is over age 18.

The association is also active in lobbying for OPEN RECORDS (availability of the original unamended birth certificate) and is opposed to sealed records.

A "reunion registry," a databank of information on adopted persons and birthparents, is operated by ALMA. The databank includes such information as the sex of the child, birth date and birthplace and can be used to assist ALMA members who are searching for their genetic antecedents.

The organization also publishes The ALMA Searchlight, the organizational newsletter. As of this writing, new members also receive a copy of The Official ALMA Searchers' Guide.

For more information, contact

Adoptees' Liberty Movement Association
P.O. Box 727
Radio City Station
New York, NY 10101
(212) 581-1568

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