State laws regarding adoption records access.

• the section of state law which addresses access to adoption records;
• which parties may access non-identifying information;
• which parties may access identifying information, and the methods for obtaining this information;
• the addresses and telephone numbers of active or passive state registries and confidential intermediary services.

The information provided below is current as of the 1997 legislative session. Staff at NAIC are not attorneys and are not qualified to give legal advice. Those who wish to locate more information should contact either their State Adoption Specialist or their State Bar Association.

Several methods may be listed for obtaining information in any one state. Depending on the circumstances of the adoption, and the information available to the seeking party, one method may prove better than another. For more information related to individual situations, please contact your State Adoption Specialist. A listing of State statute Webpages is also provided.

The following abbreviations are used:

• AA=Adopted Adult
• AP=Adoptive Parent
• BP=Birth Parent
• BS=Birth Siblings
• BGP=Birth Grandparents
• CI=Confidential Intermediary

The age of adulthood varies by state, and may vary within a state depending on the information you are seeking. Please see each listing for variations.

Alabama

AL Code §§26-10A-31

Non-identifying information: AA (age 19), AP, BP

Identifying information: Search and Consent with Affidavit System for AA (age 19).
Court appointed intermediary by AA request when no consent on file.

Alaska

AK Statutes §§18.50.500

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: AA 18 or older can receive the original birth certificate.
BP can receive names and addresses if there is consent on file.

Arizona

AZ Revised Stat. Ann. §§8-134

Non-identifying information: AA (age 18), AP, BP

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AP, AA , BP, BGP.
Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 21 for identifying information.

Arizona Confidential Intermediary Program:
Arizona Supreme Court
Torin Scott
1501 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-9586 or (602) 542-9580
http://www.supreme.state.az.us/cip/default.htm
for AA, AP, BP, and BGP.

Arkansas

AR Code Ann. §§9-9-501 to 507

Non-identifying information: AP, AA(age 18) and BP

Identifying information: Passive registry for AA (age 21), BP, and Birth Relatives to the second degree. (1 hour counseling required.)
Each agency must retain a registry.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

Arkansas Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
P.O. Box 1437, Slot 808
Little Rock, AR 77203-1437
(501) 682-8462
Initial request must be in written form in order to obtain necessary forms.

California

CA Family Code §§9200-9206

Non-identifying information: AA (age 18), AP, BP

Identifying information: Affidavit system for those adoptions finalized after January 1, 1984, either through a licensed agency or through the state for AA and BP.
AA and BS can file a waiver for contact with a sibling.
AA age of adulthood is 21.

Passive Registry
Department of Social Services
Adoption System Unit
774 P Street, MS 19-31
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-3778
http://www.webcom.com/~kmc/adoption/law/ca/fam/div13-p2.html#ch1
Scroll down the page to chapter 7 to find the appropriate information.

Colorado

CO Revised Statutes §§19-5-106, 19-5-207, 19-5-304, and §§25-2-113.5

Non-identifying information: AA, BP

Identifying information: Search and Consent AA, AP, BP and BS.
Age of adulthood is 21.

Passive Registry
Colorado Voluntary Adoption Registry
Colorado Department of Health
4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South
Denver, CO 80222-1530
(303) 692-2188
for AA, AP, BP and BS.

Colorado Confidential Intermediary Services
P.O. Box 260460
Lakewood, CO 80226-0460
(303) 237-6919

Connecticut

CT General Statutes §§45a-744 to 754

Non-identifying information: AA, BP

Identifying information: Limited Search and Consent for AA (age 18) and BP.
Each agency must maintain a registry.

Active Registry
Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Office of Foster and Adoption Services
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 550-6578
(860) 550-3453 (fax)
for AA, BS and BP.
http://www.state.ct.us/dcf/New_FASU/FASU_Search_law.htm

Delaware

DE Code Ann. Title 13 §§906

Non-identifying information: AA, AP, BP

Identifying information: Search and Consent with an Affidavit system AA (age 18), AP (with minor ) and BP.

District of Columbia

DC Code Ann. §§16.311

Non-identifying information: No provisions

Identifying information: Only via court order showing "good cause".

Florida

Florida Statutes §§63.162 to 165

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA, AP and BP register with disclosure to AA, BP, BGP, and BS.
Age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry*
Florida Adoption Reunion Registry
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services
2811-E Industrial Plaza Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 353-0679
(800) 962-3678
for AA, BP, and AP
*if no consent by BP then AA can request a CI to contact BP to be advised of the registry.

Georgia

GA Code Annotated §§19-8-23

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA.
Age of adulthood is 21.

Passive Registry
Office of Adoptions
Permanency Support Unit
Attn: Reunion Registry
Suite 13-400
2 Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(404) 657-3559
fax (404) 657-3624
for AA, BP and BS.

Hawaii

HI Revised Statutes §§578-14 to 15

Non-identifying information: AA, AP (ethnic and medical)

Identifying information:
Before January 1991 - Notice and Consent for AA .
After January 1991 - Access Veto System for AA.
Age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
Family Court Registry
Court Management Services
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96811
for AA and BP.

Idaho

ID Code §§16-511, §§39-259A

Non-identifying information: AA (medical information only).

Identifying information: Medical Registry for AA (age 18), BP, BS and relatives of deceased and birth parents.

Passive Registry
Voluntary Adoption Registry
Vital Records Section
Center for Vital Statistics and Health Policy
450 W. State Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
(208) 334-5990
http://www.state.id.us/dhw/hwgd_www/famcomsv/fcs/96adopt4.html
Information is in the third column.

Illinois

IL Compiled Statutes §§50/18-18.4a

Non-identifying information: AA (age 18), AP

Identifying information: Passive registry for AA, BP, and BS operated by the Midwest Adoption Center. AA (age 21) and BS; those between 18 and 21 can register only with consent of APs.

Passive Registry
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
Adoption Registry
605 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 782-6553.

Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois
Nancy Golden
3166 Des Plaines River Road
Suite 23
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 298-9096
fax (847) 298-9097
AA at age 18.

Indiana

IN Code Indiana Code, Title 31, Article 19, Chapters 18 through 25

Non-identifying information: AA, AP; medical history can be released to any interested person.

Identifying information: Active registry for those adoptions finalized through December 31, 1993 for AA, BP, and BS.
Access veto finalized after December 31, 1993 for AA.
Search and Consent for pre-adoptive siblings.
Passive registry for AA, BP, AP, BS, and family members of deceased AA and BP.
Age of adulthood is 21.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

Active Registry
Indiana Adoption History Registry
Attn: Registrar, Vital Records Division
P.O. Box 1964
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1964
(317) 383-6280

Iowa

IA Code §§600.16A

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: Affidavit system for AA and BP.
Court order showing "good cause" for AA and AA seeking BS.
Age of adulthood is 21.

Kansas

KS Stat. Ann. §§59-2122

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: Original Birth Certificate Available for AA.
Search and Consent for BP, AA.
AP and BP of minors may be contacted in cases of health or medical need.
Age of adulthood is 18.

Kentucky

KY Revised Stat. Ann. Section 199.525 and Sections 199.570 to .572

Non-identifying information: AA, if information is updated AA or AP of minors will be contacted

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause"
Search and Consent for AA.
Sibling Registry for pre-adoptive sibling and AA (age 18 for both).
Age of adulthood is 21.

Active Registry
Program Specialist
Department for Social Services
275 East Main Street
Sixth Floor, West
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-2147

Louisiana

LA Civil Code Ann. Art. 1186 to 1189, Art. 1270

Non-identifying information: AP at placement; BP can place an affidavit at placement.

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry*
Louisiana Adoption Registry
P.O. Box 3318
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
(504) 342-9922
(800) 259-2456
*1 hour of counseling within 30 days of registration
for BP, BS, AA, AP.
http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ocs/Registry.html

Maine

Maine Revised Stat. Ann. Title 22 §§2706-A

Non-identifying information: AP, AA. Once an adoptee reaches adulthood, medical and genetic information is released

Identifying information: Birth Certificates open before September 23, 1953.
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
Maine State Adoption Reunion Registry
Office of Vital Records
221 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330-0011
(207) 287-3181
for AA, AP of minors, BP and BS.

Maryland

MD Code Family Law §§5-329

Non-identifying information: AA, BP

Identifying information: Passive registry for AA (age 21), BP and BS.

Passive Registry
Maryland Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
Social Services Administration
Sharon Hackett
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-7372
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/voladopr.htm

Massachusetts

MA Ann. Laws Chapter 210 §5D

Non-identifying information: AP, AA (age 18)

Identifying information: Affidavit system for both BP, AA (age 21).

Passive Registry
Adoption Search Coordinator
Massachusetts Department of Social Service
24 Farnsworth Street
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 727-0900

Michigan

MI Compiled Laws §§710.67 to 710.68

Non-identifying information: All Parties

Identifying information: Access veto for adoptions finalized before May 5, 1945 and after October 12, 1980 for AA. Search and Consent for adoptions finalized between May 5, 1945 and October 12, 1980 for AA.
Age of adulthood is 18.
Court order for confidential intermediary

Passive Registry
Central Adoption Registry
Michigan Family Independence Agency
Mary Arens
P.O. 30037
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-3513
Written requests only.

Minnesota

MN Statutes §§259.27, 259.49, 259.89

Non-identifying information: All Parties

Identifying information: Access veto for adoptions finalized after August 1, 1982 for AA.
Affidavit system for BP. Search and Consent for AA. Search and Consent to find BS if AA has a medical need.
Age of adulthood is 19.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

Mississippi

MS Code Ann.§§93-17-205 to 223

Non-identifying information: AA (18), AP

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA (age 21).
Affidavit system for BP.

Missouri

MO Code Ann. §§453.120 to 453.121

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: AA (age 21) can petition through the court (adoptions finalized before August 13, 1986 the AP must be notified and must consent).

Passive Registry
Missouri Division of Family Services
Adoption Information Registry
P.O. Box 88
Jefferson City, MO 65103
(573) 751-3171 or (800) 554-2222
http://www.dss.state.mo.us/dfs/adoir.htm

Montana

MT Code Ann. §§42-6-103 through 109

Non-identifying information: All Parties

Identifying information: AA can receive original Birth Certificate by written request if their adoption was finalized before 1967. AA can receive original Birth Certificate by court order if the adoption was finalized between July 1, 1967 to Sept. 30, 1997. AA can receive original Birth Certificate by written request if BP hasn't registered a notice of non-consent.
Age of adulthood is 18.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

Nebraska

Revised Stat. of NE Section 43-113 and Sections 43-146.03 to 43-146.16

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: AP can file a notice of non-consent.
Access Veto for adoptions finalized on or after September 1, 1988 for AA.
Search and Consent for adoptions finalized before September 1, 1988 for AA.
BP, BR can file affidavits with the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
AA age of adulthood is 25 if adoption was finalized before 9/1/88.
AA age of adulthood is 21 if the adoption was finalized on or after 9/1/88.

Nevada

NV Revised Stat. Sections 127.007 and 127.152 and Section 440.310

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
Division of Child and Family Services
Adoption Registry
Capital Complex
711 E. Fifth Street
Carson City, NV 89710-1002
(702) 687-4968
for relatives within the third degree of consanguinity.

New Hampshire

NH Revised Stat. Ann. §§170-B:19

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: Search and Consent for BP, AA (age 21).

New Jersey

NJ Statutes §§9:3-51 to 52

Non-identifying information: prospective AP; AP and AA with court order.

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
Search and Consent for AA, BP through private agencies.
Search and Consent for AA through public NJ agencies.

Active Registry for DYFS of NJ Placements only
Department of Human Services
Division of Youth and Family Services
50 E. State Street
P.O. Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-9139
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/adoption/registryframe.html

New Mexico

NM Stat. Ann. §§32A-5-40 to 41

Non-identifying information: All Parties

Identifying information: AA, BP can file consents.
Age of adulthood is 18.
Court order showing "good cause".
Court order for confidential intermediary.

New York

NY Public Health Code §4138(c) and (d) Domestic Rel. Law §114

Non-identifying information: AA (through registry or agency)

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.
Each agency may retain a registry

Passive Registry*
Adoption and Medical Information Registry
Department of Health
Public Health Representative
Corning Tower, Room 208
Albany, NY 12237
(518) 474-9600
for AA and BP
*child must be born and adopted in New York for parties to register

North Carolina

NC General Stat. §§48-9-103 and 105

Non-identifying information: AP, AA (or minor AA who is a parent) may receive health related info.

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

North Dakota

ND Century Code §§14-15-16

Non-identifying information: AA, AP, BP

Identifying information: AA (age 18), AP has search and consent.
BP and BS (if AA is 21) has search and consent.

Passive Registry
ND Department of Human Services
Adoption Search/Disclosure
ND Department of Human Services
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, ND 58505
(701) 328-4805
for AA and BP.

Ohio

OH Revised Code Ann. §§3107.17, .38 to .46

Non-identifying information: AA (age 18), AP

Identifying information: Birth Certificate for adoptions finalized before 1964 for AA.
Age of adulthood is 21.
Affidavit System for adoptions finalized between January 1964 and June 1996 for AA.
Access Veto for adoptions finalized after June 1996 for AA, BP, BS.

Passive Registry
Ohio Department of Health
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
(614) 644-5635
for AA, BP.

Oklahoma

OK Stat. Ann. Title 10, §§55.1, §§7508-1.2 to 1.3

Non-identifying information: AA, AP

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
Access veto for those adoptions finalized after November 1, 1997.
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-4373
for AA, BP, BR, AP (of minor AA), adult descendants of AA and BP.

Confidential Intermediary Search Program
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-4373
for AA, BP, AP, and BR.

Oregon

OR Revised Stat. §§109.425 to .500

Non-identifying information: AA, AP, BP

*Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA, BP, BS.
AA age of adulthood is 18. Each agency has their own registry.

Active Registry
Oregon State Office for Services to Children and Families
Assisted Search and Registry Program
Permanency and Adoptions Services Unit
HRB, 2nd Floor
South 500 Summer Street, NE
Salem, OR 97310-1017
(503) 945-6643
for AA, BP, BS, AP of deceased AA.
http://www.dhs.state.or.us/children/adoption/adopt_registry/index.htm

*Recent changes in legislation will allow adopted adults to receive a copy of their original birth certificate. Contact OR for implementation date.

Pennsylvania

PA Consolidated Stat. Ann. Title 23 Chapter 29

Non-identifying information: AA, AP non-identifying medical

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA.
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry (non-identifying information only)
Adoption Medical History Registry
Hillcrest, Second Floor
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
(717) 772-7015 or (800) 227-0225
for BP and AA.

Rhode Island

RI General Laws §§15-7.2-1 to 15

Non-identifying information: AP, AA, BP, BS

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry*
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Family Court, Juvenile Division
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 277-3352
for AA, BP, BS, surviving relatives of AA and BP.
*1 hour counseling required.

South Carolina

SC Code Ann. §§20-7-1780

Non-identifying information: AA, AP, BP at agency's CEO discretion

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 21.

Passive Registry*
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Adoption Reunion Register
P.O. Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
(803) 734-6095
(800) 922-2504
(803) 734-6285
for BP, BS, AA.
*counseling required.

South Dakota

SD Codified Laws Ann. §§25-6-15 to 15.3

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: Court Order showing "good cause" for AA and AP.
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
DiAnn Kleinsasser
South Dakota Voluntary Registry
700 Governor's Drive
Richard F. Kneip Building
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
(605) 773-3227
fax (605) 773-6834
for AA, BP, BS or any family relatives.

Tennessee

TN Code Ann. §§36-1-125 to 141

Non-identifying information: AP(of a minor), AA (age 18), BP, AA relatives

Identifying information: Adoptions finalized before March 16, 1951 have open records for AA.
After March 16, 1951 to July 1, 1996 AA or legal representative have access to records.
Contact veto for adoptions finalized after July 1996 for AA, AA's spouse or descendant, BP, BGP, BR.
Court Order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 21.
Open records is still being debated in TN.

Texas

TX Family Code Ann. §§162.018, 162.022, 162.401 through 162.416

Non-identifying information: AP, AA

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18. Each agency may have its own registry, but will be referred by central registry.

Passive Registry*
Central Adoption Registry
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 140123
Austin, TX 78714-0123
(512) 458-7388
for AA, BP, BS
*all registries require 1 hour counseling

Utah

UT Code Ann. §§78-30-17 to 18

Non-identifying information: AP, AA (and descendants), BP, BS

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 21.

Passive Registry
Utah Department of Health
Vital Statistics
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0500
(801) 538-6105
for AA, BS and BP.

Vermont

VT Stat. Ann. §§6-102 to 112

Non-identifying information: AP, AA, BP, BGP, BS

Identifying information: Consent by BP for adoptions finalized before July 1, 1986 for release of info. to AA.
Affidavit system for adoptions finalized after December 31, 1997 for AA, BP, AP.
Access veto for adoptions finalized on or after July 1, 1986 for AA, AP, BP.
BS can access with AA consent.
Search and Consent for AA, BP, AP, BS.
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry
Vermont Adoption Registry
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2401
(802) 241-2122
for AA, BS and BP.
http://www.state.vt.us/srs/adoption/registry.html

Virginia

VA Code Ann.§§63-1--11-235 to 236

Non-identifying information: AA

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause" for AA, BP, and BR.
Search and Consent for AA.
Adoptions finalized after July 1, 1994, BP and BS may receive AA (age 21) information and AP of minors may apply for information.
AA age of adulthood is 18.
Confidential intermediary appointed at AA request.

Washington

WA Revised Code §§26-33-330 through 347

Non-identifying information: AP, AA (age 21 or 18 with AP permission) and BP

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA (age 21 or 18 with AP permission), BP, BS.
Access veto for adoptions finalized after October 1, 1993 for AA (age 18) and BP.
BP can receive copies of original birth certificates.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

West Virginia

WV Code §§48-4A-1 to 8

Non-identifying information: AA (and children and spouse of a deceased AA), AP (of a minor), BP

Identifying information: Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Passive Registry*
West Virginia Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services
Laura Goodman
Office of Social Services
Building 6, Room 850B
State Capital Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 558-2891
(304) 558-8800 (fax)
for BP and AA.
*1 hour counseling required.

Wisconsin

WI Statutes §§48.43, 432 to 433

Non-identifying information: AP, AA (age 18)

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA.
Before Feb 1, 1992 Affidavit System for BP.
AA before Feb 1, 1992 can request birth certificate if affidavits for release are on file.
AA age of adulthood is 21.
Court order for confidential intermediary.

Passive Registry
Attn: Adoption Search Coordinator
Wisconsin Division of Children and Family Services
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916
(608) 266-7163
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/Children/adoption/adsearch.htm

Wyoming

WY Statutes §§1-22-101 through 203

Non-identifying information: AA, AP (medical history)

Identifying information: Search and Consent for AA, AP, BP, BS, BGP.
Court order showing "good cause".
AA age of adulthood is 18.

Wyoming Confidential Adoption Intermediary Services
Hathaway Building, Room 366
2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0710
Bill Rankin
(307) 777-3570; (307) 777-3693 (fax)
for AA, AP, BP, BS, and BGP.