How to go about getting Adoption Records Unsealed

Were you adopted, or know someone who has been? Well, I was and for several different reasons I wanted to know where I came from. Are you the slightest bit curious about where you get those brown eyes or high cheek bones? Yea, go ahead admit it, you are! The way to get this done is through petitioning the court to have your adoption records unsealed. All that is required of you is some faith, an open mind and patience. So, this one is for my fellow adoptees who just want to know: Who am I?

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Birth Certificate
• Photo Identification

1. 
    

   Know where your adoption was finalized and filed. For example: if in the State of Florida, say for instance Clearwater, Florida in the county of Pinellas, then you would go to the clerk of the court' s office in downtown (Clearwater).

2. 
    

   Go down to the courthouse, and ask where the civil court department is.
   Please remember, that calls concerning filed adoptions will not be entertained. The clerks may even sound rude, this is because they are not authorized to even elude to any adoption records on file.

3. 
    

   Ask the clerk at the desk for the adoption records unsealing packet. Remember, the clerks are not authorized to answer any questions regarding adoptions, and therefore they will simply give you the forms and you will be on your own, unless you have an attorney to assist you with completing them.

4. 
    

   Fill out the paperwork: Full name(s) of your adoptive parents, your date of birth, your adoptive name(if it was changed), reason for the unsealing of your records, and if you had any assistance from an attorney or a non-lawyer to complete your paperwork. Very simple!

5. 
    

   Review the forms for errors and accuracy of information listed, get it notarized, make copies of the packet and return it to the Clerk's office for processing. When will your request be reviewed and placed on the hearing Judges court calendar? This will depend on when the judge actually receives the request, and how long it takes them to review it. The processing may be two weeks or one month or more. Please be patient, it can work out in your favor!

Tips & Warnings

• If you have had a legal name change as an adult, please use the name listed on your birth certificate to request the unsealing of your adoption records.
• Stick to the questions that are asked on the forms, don't deviate.
• Get written permission if you are a minor.
• Get Written permission if you are an adult. This applies to those adults who's parent(s) are not deceased and who are of having a sound and rational mind; being mentally healthy and having the ability to distinguish right from wrong. If your parent(s) do not fit either criteria, then you may have another recourse of action. This is where a Family Law Attorney would come into play.
• If you are not prepared to go through this process, it is always wise to search your motives. Do your research, and consider all parties involved and rely on the advice of wise counsel.

[labhrain]

on 1/2/2010 Your article does a good job of explaining the court process for states that require a court order to access one's original birth certificate.

Please remember, however, that access laws vary from state to state. Six states allow unrestricted access to original birth certificates by adopted adults. No court order is required. These states are Oregon, Alabama, New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska and Kansas. In fact, Alaska and Kansas have never sealed original birth certificates from adopted citizens. The other four states have changed laws to re-open these records to adopted persons.

Other states have laws that allow access to original by records by some, but not all adopted citizens. The laws vary, based on differing criteria such as the year the adoption took place.

Some states that require a court order, such as California and New York, have included in their legislative lang...

[sonni57]

on 3/23/2009 Nicely done article on how to get adoption records unsealed good to know info.

[LouisJeffries]

on 2/7/2009 Good article. Continue to be a blessing.

[VirtualWorker]

on 2/3/2009 This was an interesting read. Five stars!

VirtualWorker

[mayh3m]

on 1/6/2009 Wow. This is a very interesting article and an informative one at that. You're a great writer and also a great researcher. Thanks for sharing!