| Gaining access to adoption records will vary by state. | | | | information, which can be sought out through a court |
| You can search the State Statutes to see how your | | | | intermediary. If both parties give consent, then the |
| state deals with adoption issues. However, there is | | | | information is given. |
| some common information for most if not all states. | | | | Most states have a procedure to identify the |
| Adoption Records are Sealed | | | | adopted parties. This identifying information is always |
| In almost every state, the adoption paperwork is not | | | | kept under strict privacy policy. At the time of birth, |
| part of public information. Once the paperwork is | | | | one or both parties may give consent to release the |
| finalized, the records are sealed. This does not mean | | | | identifying information.o If this consent is on file, then |
| you cannot get information from the records. It just | | | | the interested party can request the information and |
| means you can't simply walk up and ask for them. | | | | receive papers that could contain name, address and |
| Non-identifying Information is Open to Adoptees | | | | contact information.o If there is no consent, then a |
| Non-identifying information gives a limited description | | | | court order must be issued. In some cases, an |
| about the adoptee and the birth parents. In most | | | | intermediary can gain access to the information and |
| cases, this information is given to the adoptive | | | | try to gain consent. If consent is given the |
| parents but it can be accessed at a later date. The | | | | information is shared. Otherwise, the case is closed. |
| information will normally include:o Time and Place of | | | | Searching Adoption Records Online |
| birtho Birth parents ageo Birth parent description (eye | | | | The easiest and fastest way to get adoption |
| color, race, hair color, religion, medical history)o | | | | information is through an adoption search online. The |
| Education levels of birth parento Possible reasons for | | | | online database can search through numerous records |
| adoptiono Siblings of adoptee | | | | in multiple states. It is considerably cheaper than hiring |
| This information is usually accessible to the adoptee | | | | an intermediary and paying for court cost. |
| once they turn 18. Birth parents are given access to | | | | In addition, once you have identifying information, |
| the information in 28 states. | | | | you can do a people search to locate an address or |
| Gaining Access to the Information | | | | telephone number for the person. This way you have |
| Some states require consent for non-identifying | | | | immediate access and little to no downtime. |