In recent years, adoption standards included sealing all records pertaining to adoption. The records included the child's original birth certificate, adoption agreements signed by the birth parents and vitals for the child's birth parents. Nowadays, there are two options for adoption: a closed adoption in which all records are sealed by a court of law and an open adoption in which some or none of the records are sealed and are public.
Step 1
Choose an adoption agency that practices closed adoptions. Some agencies only provide open adoptions, meaning that privacy is not upheld and anyone searching for your information can find it.
Step 2
Decide what information you want disclosed when placing your child with an adoption agency. If total privacy is desired, then inform the agency of your wishes. Some states automatically seal adoption records once the adoption is finalized. However, there are a few states that no longer practice the sealing of adoption records unless requested by the birth mother.
Step 3
Sign all documents, including the surrendering of your parental rights and the request to seal records. If married, then the father will be required to approve of the adoption proceedings and sign the same documents. The birth father in an illegitimate birth case can petition the court to stop the adoption. Make sure that the birth father agrees to the adoption before signing any documents.
Step 4
Keep in mind that once your child turns 18, he can petition the court and have sealed records opened. This will enable your child to locate you and your family.
