Most states today have started to unseal adoption records, making them accessible to adoptive parents and children. There are still states that do not allow this information to be divulged in a closed adoption, however, and activists wish to change this in the near future. There are ways to open closed adoption records by involving numerous parties to the adoption.
Step 1
Gather all information that you possess. Your birth date, full name, social security number and place of birth will help locate the correct records once you are permitted to access them.
Step 2
Hire an attorney who specializes in adoption cases. He can help you understand laws regarding closed adoptions in your state and explain how and why the records are sealed. In most states, birth certificates are not accessible to adoptees.
Step 3
File a petition with your state Supreme Court to unseal the adoption records. In the petition, you must show just cause to have your request granted. Just cause includes genetic medical complications, mental health or mortality risk factors.
Step 4
Contact the adoption agency that handled your adoption. They may need to contact the birth parents for permission to divulge certain information to you, and they will need to provide your attorney with certain information as well, for the courts.
Step 5
Make a list of concerns on your part and share this with your attorney. Gather your medical records, dental records and other vital information to build your case for opening sealed records.
Step 6
If you manage to get a court appearance scheduled, arrive fully prepared, to increase your chances of a favorable decision. State facts when asked and provide all the evidence you have to support your cause.
Tips and Warnings
- Sometimes, the birth parents will consent to opening closed documents, eliminating the need for a court appearance.
