How to Find Open Adoption Records
Currently, only a limited number of states allow open access of adoption records by adult adoptees. If you were born in one of these states, you may request a copy of your original birth certificate and your adoption decree. In many instances, you may also obtain demographic information about your birth parents, including age, race, religion, level of education, reason for choosing adoption and if they had any other children at the time of your adoption. You may also be able to obtain a medical history of your birth family.
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Instructions
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Begin by compiling all the information you know about your adoption, including the city, state and hospital where you were born and the name of the agency that handled your adoption. Also ask your adoptive parents for a copy of the adoption decree issued by the court.
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It is best to contact the adoption agency first, as they will have a full set of records regarding your adoption on hand. Many agencies also have adoption reunion registries that can put you in touch with your birth family.
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If you are unsure which agency you were adopted through, contact the health department of the state in which you were born. In open records states, they will provide you with a form to fill out and for a fee, will mail you copies of your adoption records.
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If you were adopted from foster care or a public agency, you may contact the child welfare agency in your state to access your adoption records.
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In both open adoption states as well as those with closed records, you can obtain your adoption records through the court in which your adoption was finalized. To obtain records through the court, you will need to file a petition with your name, date of birth, place of birth, adoptive parents' names and the reason you are seeking your adoption records. A judge will hear your case and make a decision on whether your adoption records will be opened.
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If you are under 18 and wish to obtain your adoption records, you can often obtain non-identifying information about your birth family, such as their medical history, using the above steps.
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