Over the past five years, 335 people have turned to the Social Insurance Board. They want to know about their adoption and biological origins. Some families keep adoptions secret. But the truth can improve everyone's relationships.
Adopted people often start searching for their roots in childhood. For example, Eva Näf was adopted already in the maternity hospital. Eva did not receive confirmation from her parents for a long time. She started searching in the maternity hospital and archives. Finally, she found contacts with her biological parents. 'My biological mother died a month ago. I have siblings, and they asked if I would like to communicate with them. I wanted to, and a month later we met,' said Näf.
Social Insurance Board specialist Elo Tenusaar says that knowing one's background is a human need. People want to know where their character and appearance come from. Last year, 52 people applied to the department. 28 were able to receive the desired contact information. Fears often hinder the process. 'People are afraid that they might hurt their loved ones. They fear judgment, the deterioration of family relationships,' said Tenusaar.
During the Soviet era, it was common to hide adoptions. From 1970 to 1995, it was allowed in Estonia to change the birth date of an adopted child by up to three months. This has led to unexpected discoveries today. Näf is one of those who has two birthdays. 'My husband was born exactly between those two weeks. I can be both younger and older than him,' said Näf.
The state is currently preparing a legislative amendment. It would give adopted people the right to know about their adoption. 'When adopting a child, one cannot hide the child's past. It is part of them. We want our loved ones to be honest with us,' said Tenusaar.
Näf says: 'I now know who I am and where I come from. It definitely makes life easier.' Tenusaar says it is still unknown when the legislative amendment will come into effect.