These systems depend upon parties registering, a match being found, and the follow-up notification by a registry administrator. Many times parties are not aware of the registry or they are unable to register. Search and consent procedures authorize a public or private agency to assist a searching party in locating triad members to determine if they consent to the release of identifying information or to meeting with the requesting party. If consent is given, then information identifying the party being sought may then be disclosed if authorized by the court. In many States counseling is often required before information is received.
Some States have search and consent procedures called confidential intermediary systems .
States with confidential intermediary systems have an individual called a Confidential intermediary who is sanctioned by the courts and has access to sealed adoption files for the purpose of conducting a search. The confidential intermediaries are hired by the inquiring party to conduct searches for an adopted adult or birth parent, make contact with each party, and obtain each person's consent or denial for the release of information. Depending on the particular laws of the State or county, contact may be attempted once after a specific time period or the file may close permanently if the party who is being sought is not found. A few registries also fall under search and consent procedures. These registries sometimes are referred to as active registries .