On Paying a Searcher

By Doug Johnson, PACER Board Member

Here we will discuss the paid search option. You can also consult our partial list of professional searchers.  

Before choosing a searcher, we recommend you get your non-identifying information first, and perhaps follow the path outlined on our "first steps" page. Your search may be easier than you think, you may wish to try and search for yourself. But if nothing else, getting the basics together beforehand will both help your searcher, and possibly save you money and time.

The search industry is broad.  If you think paying a professional to search for you is the way you want to go, a little homework and patience will serve you well. Searchers can be reasonable priced, or very expensive. They can get results quickly, or not at all. There are scam artists out there, worthless web sites, and folks who have no experience with adoption reunion, so please do a little homework. Here are a few guidelines to help navigate these new and emotional waters:

1. Do your research. Taking the time to find a reputable searcher this will be very important for your search. The adoption community is small when it comes to the who's who in the adoption field. So take the time to contact a respectable person in the industry and ask them who is a respectable searcher. Ask friends who have searched, ask people who have experience with search and reunions (like the people at PACER), ask adoption industry professionals, search reputable web sites for recommendations, ask searchers who specialize in states other that the one you were born in, or write to your favorite adoption author. You don't need to overdue it, but call around, people in the adoption community care and want to help, so tap into that.
    
2. Only work with adoption specialists. Only work with searchers who have experience with adoption reunions. By following this step, you will likely save yourself a lot of money, time, and emotional stress.
    
3. Find out the fee. We believe that the best searcher fee structure is no-find-no-fee. We recognize that not every professional works under this arrangement, but we believe it is the best for the person paying the bills, you. Searchers need not be hyper expensive. Paying someone by the hour, or up front, is open ended, and not the best motivator. Beware of these practices. By doing your research, we believe you can find a reasonably priced arrangement.
    
4. Shop around. The first person may not always be the right one. Ask questions. How much will it cost me? How long will it take? What will I have to do? How do we know for sure? Whatever comes to mind.
    
5. Only go with a search professional you trust and feel comfortable with. The search can be an emotional roller coaster, and having a seasoned compassionate partner in the process can make a big difference.

If you are searching in California, and wish to pay someone to undertake the search for you, we recommend Colleen Buckner. She has a no-find-no-fee structure, her services are  reasonably priced, she is good at what she does, and she has years of valuable experience.