Joe is not your ordinary private eye. Going above and beyond the call of duty, his approach differs from that of other investigators in one important way: He doesn’t just complete a search and send out his bill—far from it.

Investing not only his time and energy in each search, Joe also puts his heart into it and remains involved—from both a practical and emotional perspective—from start to finish. It is this personal involvement which sets Joe apart from others in his field and he is one of the lucky few who can honestly claim to love what he does. It is this genuine desire to help people which has led not only to his success but also, has made him one of the most sought-after private investigators when it comes to adoption searches.

Whenever possible, Joe facilitates and participates in the first meeting between his client and the subject of his search and finds this to be one of the most rewarding aspects of his job. The reunion process is a daunting and emotional experience and most people find it reassuring to know that they have a seasoned pro waiting in the wings to lend some guidance if it is needed.

Says Joe, “I’ve been attending monthly adoption support group meetings for the past eight years and have come to understand the needs of both the adoptees and birth families that I’m asked to find. I’m sensitive to all the parties in the adoption triad.”

Despite the fact that it could ultimately put him out of business, Joe would like nothing better than to see the secrecy surrounding birth records come to an end. An ardent supporter of openness in adoption, he has testified in his home state of New Jersey before Assembly and Senate committees in an effort to facilitate change and persuade recalcitrant legislators to provide adult adoptees with unfettered access to their birth records.

As Joe explains it, “I truly believe that adult adoptees have the right to know their birth families and that they should have access to the same information that everyone else has.”

This enlightened way of thinking has a broad base of support and the concept of open birth records has been embraced and championed by many tireless advocates. The fact remains, however, that legislative bodies in too many of our fifty states do not share Joe’s sentiments.

Individuals who have a need to find family members that adoption has separated them from should not allow antiquated public policies to deter them from initiating a search. A specialist in adoption searches, Joe Collins is committed—not only to helping bring families together but also, to accomplishing this in a compassionate, caring way to ensure the best possible reunion experience.