States With Open Adoption Records

There are several states that currently have open adoption records.  In these states, an adult adoptee can obtain an original birth certificate and in some instances additional adoption record information.

If you are an adoptee looking for your birth parents in an open adoption records state, please do request your open adoption records.  However, please be aware that obtaining your original birth records does not mean that your search will be a piece of cake.  Having information on your birth mother, such as her maiden name and perhaps an old address is a nice start, but you will still have to obtain her current name and current address information.  Your birth mother may have changed her name several times, or she may not reside in the state where you were born.

Here is a list of states where adoption records for all or some years can be opened.  In some states, birth parents can sign a no-contact veto:

• Alabama - Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Alaska - Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Delaware - Adoption records are open.  Birth parents can sign a no contact veto.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Indiana - Adoption records prior to 1940 may be open.  OmniTrace is currently investigating how to request the original birth certificate.
• Kansas - Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Maine - Adoption records will be open beginning in 2009.  OmniTrace will obtain the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Massachusetts - Adoption records are open for birth years prior to 4/14/1974.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Michigan - Adoption records may be open for older births.  OmniTrace is currently investigating this.
• Montana - Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized prior to 2/2/1964.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• New Hampshire - Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• New Jersey - Adoption records prior to 1940 may be open.  OmniTrace is currently investigating how to request the original birth certificate.
• Ohio - Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized prior to 1/1/1964.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Oregon - Adoption records are open.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.
• Tennessee - Adoption records are open.  No-contact vetos are available to birth parents if the adoption was finalized after 1951.  OmniTrace has the necessary forms you will need to open your records.

Please note, if you were born in a state that does not have open adoption records, don’t be depressed!  OmniTrace has many ways to solve birth parent searches involving closed record states.  In fact, some of our best states for searching are closed record states. Also, there is pending legislation in a number of  states where adoption records may become open.

OmniTrace takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the above information.  If anyone reads any inaccuracies with any of the information provided in this post, please let us know and we will make the appropriate changes.  Thanks so much!

Please write or call us if you have any questions about obtaining your open adoption records.

support@thesearchadvisor.com
Toll Free #: 888-965-6696

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