Finding out later in life that the parent who raised you is not your biological parent is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can go through. Whether you discovered it through a DNA test, a family secret that finally surfaced, or a conversation you were never meant to hear, the question that follows is almost always the same: Who is my biological parent?

This is called a late-discovery experience. If the unknown parent is your father, it is also referred to as an NPE, which stands for Not Parent Expected, or Non-Paternity Event. Both describe the same reality: you grew up without knowing one side of your biological identity, and now you want answers.

Search Angels exists for exactly this moment.

What We Do

Our expert volunteer genealogists use your AncestryDNA results to identify your unknown biological parent. We trace your DNA matches, build out your biological family tree, and work to confirm the most likely biological father or mother - giving you names, documented relationships, and biological history based on our best genealogical findings.

We do not contact biological relatives on your behalf. What you choose to do with what we find is entirely your decision.

What You Need to Get Started

An AncestryDNA test is required before we can begin. AncestryDNA gives our volunteers access to the world's largest consumer DNA database and the tree-building tools needed to identify your biological family. If you have not yet taken a test, order your kit first and come back when your results arrive - it takes about 6 to 8 weeks.

Once your results are in, fill out our search form. A Search Angel will reach out to you directly when a volunteer with the right expertise is ready to begin your case.

You are not alone in this. Forty percent of our cases involve someone searching for one unknown parent. This is one of the most common searches we handle - and one of the most meaningful.

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