encyclopedia of adoption

International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR)

Formed by the late Emma May Vilardi in 1975 and currently managed by registrar Tony Vilardi, this nonprofit organization provides a mutual consent registry and assists adopted adults, birthparents and adoptive parents who are seeking biological relatives as well as other individuals who are next of kin by birth and wish to locate each other.

Adopted individuals who wish to register themselves must be over age 18, although birthparents who register may be under age 18. Registration is free, but donations are accepted. The organization is not a SEARCH GROUP and will not actively seek out individuals beyond the registry; instead, it is a strictly voluntary registry.

If two related adults register, then ISRR will provide this matching information to the parties involved. It also assists adults who were separated from biological parents through divorce to find adult siblings and other birth kin. Free registration forms are available upon request.

Over 2,600 people have been matched since the organization's inception, according to ISRR. Professional counseling is also available through the organization.

It cooperates with adoption agencies and social services departments, and most search groups recommend that their members register with ISRR, regardless of other steps they may have taken or other registries they may have used.

The organization is based in Carson City, Nevada, and has international affiliates.

For more information, contact

International Soundex Reunion Registry
P.O. Box 2312
Carson City, NV 89702-2312
(702) 882-7755

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