Finding one’s roots, piecing together one’s story.
People whose origins are unclear or unknown may feel this need at a key moment in their childhood, adolescence or adult life.
The Swiss legal framework
In Switzerland, every adopted person who has reached the age of majority has the right to obtain information about the identity of their birth parents. Under the new law in force since 2018, they may also obtain information about the direct descendants of their birth parents, provided these descendants are adults and have given their consent. Before reaching the age of majority, an adopted child must demonstrate a legitimate interest in order to begin searching for their origins.
The role of ISS Switzerland
We work with the cantonal central authorities for adoption and origins tracing to support people who begin a search. We raise adoptees’ awareness of the origins tracing process and draw on the international ISS network to launch searches abroad.
We can also search for a person in Switzerland, with the support of the competent authorities, when a request comes from abroad. If the person sought is located, we support making contact and re-establishing ties, provided that person consents.
Our approach
ISS Switzerland works with the cantonal central authorities for adoption and origins tracing, designated under the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (HCIA 93), to support adoptees in their search. We explain how a search unfolds and discuss the expectations of those concerned, addressing in particular what a successful search – or a different outcome – may involve.
Some people are looking for a family member outside the context of adoption: we also offer support in these situations.
Our services in detail
- Preparatory interview ahead of the search process
- Origins tracing and tracing of persons in Switzerland or abroad
- Locating the person sought
- Establishing first contact, with the agreement of both parties
- Support for a gradual reconnection
- Cooperation with the cantonal central authorities and other specialised services
For more information, please click here.
Our services
Tracing of origins and persons in Switzerland and abroad
Guidance and support
Locating the person sought
Re-establishing ties on a voluntary basis for both parties
Our services
- Telephone helpline on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 12 noon, and on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm
- Socio-legal consultations on site or online, by appointment
- Interventions abroad and individual support
- Mediation and mediation-based consultations
- Thematic training and continuing education
In practice
ISS Switzerland provides its services on behalf of authorities, professionals and private individuals. Our staff in Zurich and Geneva will be happy to tell you about how we work together and the fees applicable in your canton.
ISS Switzerland provides its origins tracing services in cooperation with the cantonal central authorities for adoption. The list of central authorities is available on the website of the Federal Office of Justice: Cantonal central authorities for adoption
Ana finds her birth mother in Moldova
In spring 2024, ISS Switzerland was mandated to trace origins in Moldova: Ana, adopted from Moldova to Switzerland in 2001, was looking for her birth parents. The parents’ names and dates of birth were known from the adoption documents. Ana herself had no memory of the first five years of her life. Living with a mild cognitive impairment, she is supported in her search by a professional adviser and followed by a psychologist, who made the first contact with ISS.
ISS Switzerland passed the file, with all existing documents, to its network partner in Moldova. The search made it possible to identify the birth mother. It emerged that she had been raped while still a minor and had therefore been forced to give her child up for adoption.
The network partner was able to contact the mother and arrange a conversation confirming her identity. She herself had tried several times, without success, to find her daughter, unaware that she had been adopted abroad.
Since then, mother and daughter have begun exchanging letters, supported by ISS Switzerland and the network partner. Both are delighted to have found each other. A video call is planned, also with support, and ISS is preparing, in coordination with all parties, a possible first meeting, respecting the interests of each.
* Name changed