How to Unseal Closed Adoption Records

There are many reasons why an adoption might be conducted closed, which means that the transaction is deemed private and the case is sealed by a Judge. The most common is that biological parents do not want to be contacted by their children in the future, for various reasons. While a closed adoption does limit how much information is publicly available about a specific adoption, there are some circumstances in which the court can overturn the original decision and reveal this information.

Things You'll Need

  • Adoption certificate

Instructions

    • 1

      Find your adoption certificate. You will need to look at this and any other adoption documentation you have access to. This will help you determine which state you were adopted in.

    • 2

      Visit the State, if possible, or contact the Court. You can do this by phone, or by letter. Explain your circumstances briefly, and ask for the best procedure for seeking access to the file. There may be restrictions, such as a minimum age.

    • 3

      Attend the Court, and fill in a Petition. This will ask for information about yourself, and why you are seeking access to the information. This only needs to be brief, but ensure it makes sense and covers all the reasons you want access.

    • 4

      Meet with the Judge on the date specified. This is usually sent by letter once your petition has been studied. The Judge will have read your petition, and will ask for further information on your reasons. The most common reason sealed records are unsealed, is for medical issues. You can apply based on your desire to know who your parents are, but this argument is considered weak, and you may not succeed. The Judge will leave the room for a short period if he needs time to decide, or may make the decision on the spot. Either way, your petition will be granted or denied while you are present, on the same day.

    • 5

      Request a confidential intermediary if your request is denied. This is a person who is appointed by the Court to contact your biological parents and explain that you are trying to find out about them and your reasons why. This gives your parents the chance to grant your permission to unseal the record.

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