KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptee FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

We receive many requests from KSS Adoptees asking the same questions. Below is a basic starting point for KSS Adoptees.

KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptee FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Please NOTE: This page is ONLY relevant to KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptees.

If you are NOT a KSS Adoptee and instead you are a HOLT or ESWS / ECWS (Eastern Social Welfare Society / Eastern Child Welfare Society) or KWS (Korea Welfare Society) - previously SWS (Social Welfare Society) / CPS (Child Placement Service) Adoptee, please see the Korean Adoptee Starter Guide.

Korean Adoptees often do not know what their Korean Adoption Agency was. Contacting KSS if you are NOT a KSS Adoptee can WASTE SEVERELY LIMITED RESOURCES. Please do everyone a favor and try to determine what your Korean Adoption Ageny was BEFORE contacting KSS. You can see a list of the 4 major Korean Adoption Agencies and their corresponding Western (US / European / Australian / Canadian) Adoption Agencies here:

https://mfof.se/download/18.3fb844b2179a8fcfa4548418/1622550452816/Leaflet_Adoption%20Information%20Disclosure%20Service(Eng).pdf?fbclid=IwAR2QSuaZrq4JhoRvcD08ruh2MIZpMjJHSwbP2IbTaMWAcCGPaYkJUgyBSs4

Please check the list above to determine if you were a KSS Adoptee.

KSS was the SMALLEST of the 4 major Korean Adoption Agencies. KSS did NOT adopt to Canada, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, France, England, or Norway. If you were adopted to any of these countries, you are NOT a KSS Adoptee.

KSS ONLY adopted through the following list of Partner Western Adoption Agencies in the US and Europe:

https://www.paperslip.org/list-of-all-kss-partner-western-adoption-agencies-1

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If and only if you are a KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptee, please read below:

KSS (Korea Social Service) Birth Family Search:

There is an important secret document called the “KOREAN Adoptive Child Study Summary” which you can now officially request via email from KSS. Please note that just requesting this document does not initiate a birth family search through KSS - you must ALSO request a birth family search, if you wish to do so. You can do so simply by following the instructions below: 

In order to begin a birth family search (BFS) and / or request your Korean Adoptive Child Study Summary, it just requires filling out 2 simple forms, assuming you are over 18. Please see the "Illustrated Step By Step Guide" here: https://www.paperslip.org/step-by-step-kss-birth-family-search


We definitely recommend viewing this page a laptop and not a phone. There are important GRAPHICS to follow which show you exactly how to fill out the forms. These graphics are too small to see on a phone.

Please be sure to read the page though as it contains important info. Please be sure to check options A, B, C and D (assuming you want to request a birth family search in addition to your Korean Adoptive Child Study Summary) and be sure to write "KOREAN Adoptive Child Study Summary" next to Option D. You don't have to use caps for KOREAN but this is really important that you include this exact text.

We also recommend typing and not handwriting the forms, as they will go to Korean speakers and you want the info to be clear and not mistakeable. Please be sure to read the link above for very important info.


We are happy to review (look over) your forms after you complete them BEFORE you email them to KSS. Adoptees often make simple mistakes on the forms that may cost them years of wasted time. We’ve done this for dozens of KSS Adoptees who have requested it, and it's no problem. Simply email us your completed forms to paperslipadoptee@gmail.com before you email them to KSS.

We can also talk with you via Zoom about further steps you can take beyond the KSS birth family search. Please be sure to read the information about birth family search FIRST.

KSS typically takes 1-4 weeks to respond (they will not acknowledge your email, only respond to your request in full within 1-4 weeks). 


Once you have received your Korean Adoptive Child Study Summary, please let us know. We can refer you to translation resources. We also already have the categories on the form already translated, and you can share this link with downloadable translation templates to any translator:


If you are planning to go to Korea, or are currently in Korea, here are tips for your trip to Korea:

  • Pro-Active  Birth Family Search Tips for KSS (Korea Social Service) and ALL Korean Adoptees:

    https://www.paperslip.org/birth-family-search-tips-1

  • Please note that KSS’ old campus in Seoul no longer exists. However, you can still visit KSS’ one remaining building, it’s Post Adoption Services building, where you can schedule to meet with a social worker to review your file. Please note that you will need to schedule an appointment with KSS in advance via email. All KSS Adoptee’s files are currently stored in this building. For more info, please see:

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The Korean Police Missing Person's DNA Test:

If you plan to take the Police Missing Person’s DNA test in Korea or at a Korean consulate in your Western country of adoption, please see the Korean Adoptee Starter Guide for information about requesting your Adoption Certificate or NCRC Certificate in order to take this DNA test:

https://www.paperslip.org/korean-adoptee-starter-guide

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Because so much Korean adoption paperwork is often (though not always) falsified, we cannot more strongly recommend doing ALL possible DNA tests:

We recommend taking 23 and Me first, then transferring raw data for free to FTDNA and MyHeritage. You should also take Ancestry (a paid test like 23 and Me). All of these DNA databases are separate, so for example if you only take 23 and Me, and your relative only takes FTNDA, you will not match because your DNA is in different databases. You must be on the same tests in order to match potential relatives. For this reason, we cannot more strongly recommend that you take ALL possible DNA tests beginning with 23 and Me.

23 and Me has the most Korean DNA in its database. However, if you are Hapa (mixed race) then you should definitely also take Ancestry, which is the largest US DNA database overall.

More info here:

https://www.paperslip.org/dna-testing

For DNA questions we recommend joining the Facebook group DNA tested Korean Adoptee's and Korean War Veterans and their children:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/794123673965176

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How to transfer your raw DNA data for free:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/794123673965176/search/?q=how%20to%20transfer%20dna
 

Please note: If you reach out to cousin / relative matches on DNA sites, just remember the golden rule: do not tell the person you are adopted until you have formed a relationship of trust. Doing so will always scare a person off. We would not connect to a person on Facebook if it's obvious you are adopted from your profile - you might consider setting up a separate FB profile that is totally non-Korean Adoptee related for connecting to DNA matches.

We think people usually greatly underestimate their DNA cousin matches, and get disappointed when they cannot find birth parents or close cousin matches. However many people we know have connected with family through DNA testing and this route is a guarantee of finding some blood relatives, whereas the paperwork trail can often (though not always) be disappointing. We always recommend that Korean Adoptees who are interested in birth family search to do ALL possible DNA tests AND do an official birth family search through her or his relevant Korean Adoption Agency.

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For US Adoptees ONLY - you can file a FREE FOIA request for your US immigr. records, which often contain a treasure trove of adoption documents. Please note that filing a FOIA request does NOT initiate any birth family search through your Korean or US adoption agency (it is a totally separate process). Please be sure to read the link below carefully. You will need your A (Alien Number) and Korean name spelled in English phonetically (example: Jin Hee LEE, where LEE is the last name) exactly as it was used at entry to the US. You should also use your maiden name (if applicable) and married name (if applicable) where it asks for this info. on the forms:

https://www.paperslip.org/foia-request-for-us-adoptees


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KSS Adoptees are encouraged to also check out the Korean Adoptee Starter Guide:

https://www.paperslip.org/korean-adoptee-starter-guide


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If you are a Korea Social Service (KSS Adoptee) ONLY, you are welcome to join KSS Cribmates on Facebook to connect with the community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472813756273368

However you must have a real Facebook account with a profile photo, and you must answer the membership questions, or your request may be declined. If you do not have a real Facebook account, you can send us a copy of your English Adoptive Child Study Summary or other KSS documentation to prove that you are a KSS Adoptee. We welcome KSS Adoptees into our community!