In an agency adoption, adopting parents are told all known information about the child and his or her background. In cases of abandonment, little is known; otherwise the child`s history has been recorded and is shared with the adopting parents. Identifying information provided will depend on the type of adoption chosen by the birth and adoptive parents. Families adopting privately/independently have direct contact with the birth parent(s), and may have obtained this information of their own. Washoe County Human Services Agency adoption staff collects and records the information as a part of the adoption service, this information is provided to the adopting parents.