active registry: if no match can be made on an adoption registry, a search based on the court and/or agency files and the obc can be initiated on request, without petitioning the court

contact preference form: birth parent indicates whether or not they would be interested in reconnecting with their surrendered child; if adoptee applies for obc, contact preference form is forwarded to him or her along with the original birth record

contact veto: adoptee or birth relative indicates their desire not  to be contacted; usually enforced via a hefty fine for violating the contact veto

disclosure veto (aka an "information veto"): adoptee or birth parent can prohibit the release of identifying information on file with a registry or which appears on the obc

intermediary program: adoptee or birth parent must petition the court to request that an intermediary be appointed to conduct a search for the other party; if the person cannot be located or declines contact, no identifying information can be exchanged

non-identifying information: basic background information on the birth or adoptive family; usually includes: race, ethnic origins, religious affiliation, physical description, age at the time of the birth oradoption, education, hobbies and talents, and, if you're lucky, family medical history

obc: original birth certificate (birth certificate issued at the time of an adoptee's birth)

passive registry: no information is exchanged unless both the adoptee and one of his or her birth relatives have registered and agreed to exchange identifying information

registry: adoptee or birth parent must sign up with public or private agency and indicate their willingness to exchange identifying information with other parties to the adoption

waiver: allows birth parent to authorize the release of the original birth certificate or other documents to an adult adopted person