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REGISTRATION FORM:
Please, complete the form and mail back with check or money order, for the amount of $50. Click to open. Right-click to save to your computer. Form contains two pages. If you are unable for some reason to download the membership application form, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The ALMA Society, PO Box 85, Denville, NJ 07834 and request that a membership application form be mailed to you.
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WHEN YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE COMPLETE FILE (2 PAGES):
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Answer as many questions as you can. |
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Do not abbreviate. |
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Use a separate form for each child if a birthparent in search of more than one relinquished child. |
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Please include legible non-returnable copies of any background, non-identifying information received from the agency that handled the adoption, or the state in which the adoption was finalized. Please do not send original copies.You may submit non-returnable documents. |
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Please print legibly using black ink. |
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Use a separate sheet of paper to include any additional information you have which may not have been asked. |
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The one-time fee of only $50.00 is non-refundable, and it entitles new members to permanent registration with no renewal required. You may update your information in the ALMA Registry whenever you have new facts for us, without additional charge. Just mark "Update" on your membership application form. Also, when you find, please inform us so we can mark your case as matched and reunited, or found. Please include an e-mail address as that is the way you will be contacted. If you don't have your own e-mail address, please arrange to have a friend provide theirs so we can get information to you quickly. Providing information to you in writing is preferable to providing over the telephone. |
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And remember ... registration to ALMA is IRS Tax Deductible. |
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Mail to The ALMA Society, P.O.Box 85, Denville, NJ 07834.
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OUR REUNION REGISTRY DATABANK
It contains the vital statistics of adoptees, birth parents and all persons separated by adoption for possible matching.
In most cases adoptees do not know their original names; birth parents do not know the adoptive names of the children they surrendered for adoption. The facts that we do know are:
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Sex of the child |
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Date of birth |
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Place of birth |
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For example, if a mother who gave up a son born May 20, 1930 in St. Luke's Hospital, New York and an adopted male with matching information both register with us, we put them in touch without delay.
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WHO MAY REGISTER?
Some adoptive parents are now searching for the birth parent(s) of their minor children. As the legal guardian of a minor child, the adoptive parent has an absolute right to make this decision and we support it. They understand their child's need to know its roots is not a negotiation of his love for them but an affirmation of himself as a human being. We welcome them most warmly.
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Adult adoptees over 18 years of age. |
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Birth parents. |
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Foster children over 18 years of age. |
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Adoptive parents of a minor child under 18 years of age. |
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Siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents. |
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No third party or intermediary applications will be accepted.
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HOW WILL YOU NOTIFY ME OF A MATCH?
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The Registrar will contact you by phone, E-mail or US Postal mail. Please be sure to notify us if you change your address, phone number, or E-mail address.
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ALMA POLICY
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We do not perform the search but will assist our members. |
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Registrants are responsible for information provided. |
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Registrations fees and donations are IRS tax deductible. |
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When you conclude your search, please provide an update for your file so your case file can be closed. |
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The registration fee of $50 entitles you to a permanent registration - meaning you have lifetime assistance with your search and reunion issues. |
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Local chapters, the search assistant network and the ALMA Research Library are all staffed by volunteers willing to help you.
 ALMA will grant honorary memberships to any active member of the Armed Forces. The registrant must submit proof of service record, and be actively serving.
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WHY ALMA HAS TO CHARGE A REGISTRATION FEE:
The ALMA Society, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1971.
Many searchers and other organizations ask why ALMA charges a registration fee of $50.00.
ALMA receives no funding or grants. Our only source of income is through registration fees and donations from members and friends. It is only through their loyal support that ALMA has been able to continue to maintain our Registry and continue into our 39th year of search and support service to the adoption community.
The growth of the Internet has included the proliferation of many search and reunion websites. Some charge Registration and/or search fees and others are 'free'. We have seen several statements on defunct sites that the owners of the site were no longer able to financially support their registry. One site claimed over 12 thousand visitors. The owner had sent over $2000 of her own money to host and maintain the site and in spite of asking for donations, had not received anything. Due to lack of support, she closed the site.
As with anything else, there are costs associated with running ALMA and other registries and groups, i.e....
Webhosting fees
Domain registration fees
Monthly service provider fees ( i.e. AOL, Optonline etc.)
Computer hardware and software
Computer programming & repairs
Printer and printing supplies (ink cartridges etc.)
Postage
Stationary/envelopes/photocopies/printing
Utilities (i.e. gas/electric)
Telephone/fax
Many searchers have been reunited because of the financial support of our members. Their continuing support will enable us to continue to help future searchers reunite.
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Contact: MAnderson@almasociety.org
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