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State Laws on Access to Adoption Records

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What You Need to Know

  • Where was the adoption finalized? Identifying and non-identifying information about your adoption should first be requested from the state or jurisdiction where the adoption was finalized, and not from the adopted person’s birth location if different.

  • Adoption law is state law and this includes laws covering the release of identifying and non-identifying information to adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents.

  • Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, New Hampshire, and Oregon are "open records states," meaning that adult adoptees can receive copies of original documentation about their adoptions just by completing an application process. Other states also provide for the release of original information with some restrictions.

  • An adoptee’s age matters. The age at which adoptees can receive identifying or non-identifying information ranges from 18 to 25. Be sure to check this age requirement.

Check individual state laws.

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Visitor Comments (17)
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deanna - 5 days ago
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hello my name is DeAnna I am looking for my younger sister her name is crystal dorsey born may 25 1995 she will be turning 18 and just trying to get a head start for i was told this may not be easly. she is tan brown hair brown eyes the last time i saw her was around 1999 right before sh was fully adopted. she was adopted by the williams's family born in philadelphia.he biological parents are christine weissman our mother and her father alfred dorsey who had passed away she has brothers and a sister .i took care of her when i was only ten bc of our mothers condition i was heart broken when they took her and been hoping and dieing to find her again to have her back in my life #1
Tracy - 2 weeks ago
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I am looking for my biological sister. She was Born between Sept 4-10 1965 thru1967. I believe it was Labor Day Weekend which ever year it was. I am Leaning more on it being 1966. She would of been born in Aultman Hospital, Canton, Ohio. I think she would of been close to a year old when she was adopted. I have been told by a deceased Aunt that the nurses called her Angel and she could have a locket saying that. I don't know if she stayed in the area, but my aunt seemed to think so. Her biological parents would have been Dave (Davis) Guess and Linda Jones or could have still been Linda Guess. I pray that we can find each other. #2
donna baker - 4 days ago
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I had a daughter in 1986 July. My mother made me give her up for adoption and I don't know the name of the adoption agency. I was only 17 years old and don't remember the name of the adoption agency or much of anything else. she is biracial and born july 1986. she was born in Lexington memorial hospital, and baker is my maiden name. #3
Mark - 1 month ago
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Are you Alden (Sonny) Nelson? My name is Mark Engebrecht. I was born on October 22, 1960. I have been looking for Alden "Sonny" Nelson because I know he is my father. I have found my natural mom who's first name is Marilyn. I was born in South San Francisco. My mother gave birth to my brother 1 year before me. She gave me up for adoption the day she delivered me. I have had a good life and I am now close to her. I met her when I was 28 years old. I have been looking for my dad. I don't "need" anything from him, I just want to know who he is, and I wonder if he is looking for me. I know Sonny lived in the outer mission district of San Francisco. If you are Sonny or know Sonny, please contact me: xxxx Thanks! #4
Cody - 1 week ago
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I am looking for my half-sister. She was born in 1994 in December. My brother and I were adopted at ages one and two and I have never seen her since. Her name is Sierra Smith I believe (not sure if correct spelling) and I was told she lived in Linden. I really want to find her and meet her. I feel like a part of my life is missing from me and I need to get it back. If you are Sierra or know Sierra please let me know. Thank you. #5
Shelly - 3 weeks ago
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Hello. I am looking for my birth mother or grandmother/ I know they are living in Glenpool, OK. But i don't know anyway to get a hold of them. I know Dawn Anneta Brown is 44 years old and Evelyn G Mounce (Grandmother) Is 70 years old. My mother had a son name Kyle Brown and im also looking for him. If anyone could help! I would love it! (: Please and thank you! xxxx! #6
Kari - 1 month ago
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I am searching for my mom's birth mother. My mom was born May.9, 1950 at a place called Rest Cottage in Pilot Point, TX. The birth mother may have been from Florida, then came to Texas to have her baby. The birth mother may have named my mom, or someone named her Sharon fay Burchfield before she was adopted, then the adopted parents named her Phyllis Kay Graham. If you have any information that could be of help, please email me at xxxx. Thank you, Kari #7
Melissa - 2 months ago
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I am looking for my mothers biological parents. She was born March 5 1965 at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, NY. Her adoptive parents were Mr and Mrs Paul Bernstein. Her biological parents were married and entered into a separation agreement and decided to place her up for adoption since the mother was unable to care for 2 children. The adoption was handled through a private placement and no agency was involved in her adoption. We got that info from NY State DOH. This is all we got : mother age: 23 nationality: England ethic background: English race: Caucasian. Father age:24 nationality: USA race; Caucasian talents,hobbies : US Navy. I believe the judge who handled the adoption was Judge Maximillion. The lawyer could have been Leon Elterman. I am looking for my mothers sibling. I personally would love to know where we came from and learn of our health background. If anyone knows of anything please contact me with any information. I'm obviously at a stand still. Thank u. #8
Bruce - 1 month ago
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I am looking for my husband's birth mother, Jane Johnston. He was born Jan 30, 1961. His adoptive parents werer Edward and Marie McAllister. His birth mother was described as 5'6" 121 lbs Blondish brown hair medium fair, attractive. 2nd oldest of 5 children. She resided in Arizona adn was 22 at the time of his birth. She herself was born in Wisconsin. If all this is true information, then all this is correct. If you have any information, please contact me. #9
Sharmia - 2 weeks ago
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i'm looking for my 2 biological brothers birth names tymel #10
Kasee Niskern - 1 month ago
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I am looking for my birth sister. She was born in either Jan, Feb, or Mar of 1991 or 1992. Birth mother is named Lynda Niskern. She would have been adopted in Texas, I believe in the DFW area. The only name we have is for her Charlene...not sure if that's the first or middle name. I also know that she travels with her parents and I believe she is the oldest out of two other siblings. If you have any information please contact me at: xxxx. thank you. #11
Kelsea - 2 months ago
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I am looking for my birth brother that should be around Nazareth/ Easton area in PA. He was born March 23 1976. He was unfortunately given up for adoption hoping to have a better life. I am trying to find him for my mother, because she was given up to two years to live due to her cancer. I am just starting out trying to find him and I am hoping I can find him soon. He has another sister besides me, that would love to meet him. Mikey was his birth name.. #12
Kelli Martin - 2 months ago
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I'm looking for my dads family. Last name was Vincent. He was born in Kansas City, mo 1945-46. His adopted parents were Mr and Mrs Donald H. Martin. I need help finding the Vincent family. I know he had older sibling and that mrs. Vincent got pregnant while her husband was overseas. She gave the baby away at the hospital and he was legal adopted at age 7. My dad was murdered. By his business partner when he was 33. His name is Donald H. Martin jr. My email is xxxx #13
MINDY - 3 months ago
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I WAS BORN JULY 30 1975 IN NYC, AS FAR AS I KNOW... MY ADOPTIVE PARENTS RAISED ME IN LONG ISLAND AND THEY ARE UNFORTUNATELY BOTH DECEASED....I HAVE 2 BEAUTIFUL KIDS AND AS THEY ARE MY ONLY CONNECTION I AM IN NEED OF SOME ANSWERS ABOUT MY MEDICAL HISTORY AND WHERE I'M FROM...I HAD A GREAT UPBRINGING AND LIFE -I JUST WANT TO THANK MY BIRTH PARENTS FRO GIVING ME THE LIFE I HAD - I KNOW IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE HARDEST THING TO DO - I COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE IT...HOPEFULLY YOU'RE LOOKING TOO #14
Tamare Shrum - 2 months ago
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I am looking for my biological child who was born on June 4, 1986 in Abilene, Texas. It was a closed adoption as I was a very young mother. The adoption agency is called Christian Homes of Abilene, or possibly Christian Homes #15
Kathy - 3 months ago
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Im looking for my sister who was born at Genesse hospital Rochester NY on March 16, 1963. Hillside Childrens center of Rochester NY was the agency that tool care of the adoption. I live in the Rochester area. You were given up at birth. Would love for you to meet the rest of the family!! #16
William Winter - 3 months ago
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I am looking for my biological parents. I was 2/08/1972 at Fairview Hospital in Fairview Ohio #17
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