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United States Page

United States - State Adoption Departments and Records Availability.

Alabama

Dept. of Human Resources
Office of Adoption
S. Gordon Persons Building
50 Ripley St.
Montgomery
AL 36130 (205) 242-9500

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 19 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: N/A
Records Availability: As of August 1, 2000, all adult Alabama adoptees can obtain a copy of their Original Birth Certificate as well as pertinent court documents that were filed at the time of their adoption so there is no need to go through DHR to get information; as well as Alabama bmoms can now file a CPF form with the Center for Health Statistics. More information can be obtained at: http://www.alabama-adoption.org/.

Alaska

Dept. of Health & Social Services
Pouch H-05
Juneau
AK 99811 (907) 465-3191

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: N/A
Records Availability: Full access to records at age 18 for Adoptees.
Passive Registry for Birth Parents.

Arizona

Dept. of Economic Security
Admin. for Children, Youth, & Families
3001 W. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix
AZ 85017 (602) 277-3564

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior Court in the county where the adoption occurred.
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Unknown
Records Availability: By court order. Intermediary System.

Arkansas

Dept. of Human Svcs.
Division of Social Services:
Adoption Services
P. O. Box 1437 slot 808
Little Rock
AR 72203 (501) 682-8345

State Reunion Registry: Yes.

Contact the State Adoption Dept.

Mutual Consent Registry
626 Donaghey Plaza South
P.O. Box 1437
Little Rock, AK 72203-1437

Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1935
Records Availability: Pending Legislation: Bill HB 2202, all Adoptees permitted Original Birth Certificate at age 21.

California

Dept. of Social Services
Adoption Branch
744 P St., MS 19-31
Sacramento
CA 95814 (916) 973-3827

State Reunion Registry: None (waiver system)
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1935
Records Availability: By court order. Waiver System.

Colorado

Dept. of Social Services
Post Adoption Services
1575 Sherman St.
Denver
CO 80203 (303) 866-5700

State Reunion Registry: Voluntary Adoption Registry
4210 E. 11th Ave.
Denver
CO 80220 (303) 320-8333

Court of Jurisdiction:
In Denver: Juvenille Court
All Others: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old for women/21 yrs. old for men
Year Records Closed: 1942
Records Availability: By court order before 6/9/99, at age 18 after that unless Birth parent vetoes. Passive Registry, Intermediary System.

Connecticut

Dept. of Children & Youth Services:
Adoption Resource Exchange
Undercliff Road Bldg. 2
Meriden
CT 06450 (203) 238-6640

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Each agency is required to maintain its own registry.
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1974
Records Availability: By court order. Intermediary System.

Delaware

Dept. of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families
Division of Child Protective Services
Attn: Adoption Coordinator
1825 Faulkland Rd.
Wilmington
DE 19805-1195 (302) 633-2655

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Family Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1913
Records Availability: Original Birth Certificate at 21, unless Birth Parent vetoes. Active Registry.

District of Columbia (Washington, DC)

Dept. of Human Services, Adoption & Placement Rsrcs.
609 H Street, NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002 (202) 727-5930

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction:

1956-Present: U.S. Superior Court for District of Columbia
Before 1956: U. S. District Court for District of Columbia

Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1935
Records Availability: By court order only.

Florida

Dept. of Health & Rehabilitative Services
Family & Child Services
1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 8, Rm. 100
Tallahassee
FL 32301 (904) 488-8000

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Registration: $35
Updates: $10
Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1930's
Records Availability: By court order. Passive Registry, Intermediary System.

Georgia

GA Dept. of Human Resources
State Adoption Unit, Rm 501
878 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta
GA 30309 (404) 894-2641

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1935
Records Availability: By court order. Active Registry.

Hawaii

Dept. of Human Svcs.
Child & Family Svcs.
P. O. Box 339
Honolulu, HI 96809-0339 (808) 548-2211

State Reunion Registry: No formal registry on state level.
1st Circuit Family Court maintains a registry for the 1st circuit only.
Court of Jurisdiction: Family Court
City & County of Honolulu: 1st Circuit/Family Court
County of Maui: Second Circuit Court
County of Hawaii: Third Circuit Court
County of Kauai: Fifth Circuit Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1945 (Limited access effective 1/1/91)
Records Availability: Original Birth Certificate for those adopted after 1991, if no disclosure veto is on file. Post 1991, if waiver is on file, Adoptees may obtain records. If not, a Confidential Intermediary is assigned to obtain waiver from Birth Parents. If the Birth Parents are not found in 120 days, Adoptees are granted access to records. Birth Parents rules are the same and may obtain an Original Birth Certificate.

Idaho

Dept. of Health & Welfare: Adoption Dept.
450 W. State Street
Boise
ID 83720 (208) 334-5697

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact Vital Statistics Agency:

Bureau of Vital Statistics
State Dept of Health & Welfare: Statehouse
Boise
ID 83720 (208) 334-5988)

Court of Jurisdiction: Probate or Magistrate Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Unknown
Records Availability: By court order.

Illinois

Dept. of Children & Family Services
406 E. Monroe
Springfield
IL 62706 (217) 785-2519

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: County Circuit Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1945
Records Availability: By court order. Recent Legislation instituted an Active Registry. Reunited Adoptees and Birth Parents may obtain Original Birth Certificate with permission from the other parties.

Indiana

State Dept. of Public Welfare
Social Services Division
141 Meridian St.
Indianapolis
IN 46225 (317) 232-4956

State Reunion Registry: Yes.

IN Adoption History Registry
State Registrar of Vital Stats.
P. O. Box 1964
Indianapolis
IN 46206-1964 (317) 633-0274)

Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit, Probate and Superior Courts
Age of Majority: 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1941
Records Availability: By court order, except those adopted before 1940, who have full access to records. Intermediary System. Passive Registry.

Iowa

Iowa Dept. of Human Services:
Division of Adult, Children & Family Svcs.
Hoover Building
Des Moines
IA 50319 (515) 281-5358

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1945
Records Availability: By court order after 1941. Pre-1941 open. Passive Registry.

Kansas

Dept. of Social & Rehabilitative Services:
Division of Children & Youth
300 SW Oakley
Topeka
KS 66606 (913) 296-2500

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: N/A
Records Availability: All adoption records open to Adoptees at age 18. Active Registry.

Kentucky

Dept. for Social Services
Cabinet for Human Rscrs.
275 E. Main St. - 6th Floor W
Frankfort
KY 40621 (502) 564-2136

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit Court
Age of Majority: "Adult adopted person" = 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1940* (If finalized prior to 1940, case records are normally available.)
Records Availability: Adoptees have access to records, only with Birth Parent permission at age 18. Intermediary Program, Passive Registry.

Louisiana

Office of Human Development
Adoption Program
P. O. Box 3318
Baton Rouge
LA 70821 (504) 342-4040

State Reunion Registry: Yes.
Must be over 25 yrs. old. Contact the State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: District or Juvenile Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1977
Records Availability: Court order only. Passive Registry.

Maine

Bureau of Child & Family Svcs.
Main Dept. of Human Svcs.
221 State Street
State House, Station 11,
Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 289-5060
Attn: Adoption Unit

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact Vital Statistics Agency:

Office of Vital Statistics
ME Dept. of Human Svcs.
221 State St.
State House, Station 11,
Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 289-3184

Court of Jurisdiction: County Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1953 (Records are open at the Probate Court where finalized, if done before Aug. 8, 1954)
Records Availability: Court order only. Passive Registry.

Maryland

Dept. of Human Resources
311 W. Saratoga Street
Baltimore
MD 21201 (410) 333-0235

State Reunion Registry: Yes.

MD Mutual Consent Registry
311 W. Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 ($25 enrollment fee)

Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit or Probate Courts (usually Equity Division)
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old (21 for enrollment in registry)
Year Records Closed: 1948 (Most adoption records are open and available from the state archives, if the case was finalized before July 1, 1947)
Records Availability: By court order only, after June 1, 1947. By contacting the circuit court pre-1947, unless sealed by the parties involved.

Massachusetts

Dept. of Social Services
150 Causeway St.
Boston
MA 02114 (617) 727-0900

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1972
Records Availability: By court order. Waiver System.

Michigan

Dept. of Social Services
P. O. Box 30037
Lansing
MI 48909 (517) 373-3513

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate or Juvenile Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1925
Records Availability: By court order. Waiver System in central registry. Intermediary System.

Minnesota

Dept. of Human Services
444 Lafayette Rd.
St. Paul
MN 55155-3831 (612) 296-0584

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate or Juvenile Courts
Age of Majority: 19 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1941
Records Availability: Post 1982 records released when Adoptee is an adult, unless Birth Parent disclosure veto is on file.

Mississippi

Dept. of Public Welfare
855 S Plaza Drive
Jackson
MS 39284 (601) 373-3526

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Chancery Court
Age of Majority: 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Known
Records Availability: By court order. Intermediary System. Post 1994 Birth parent Registry.

Missouri

Division of Family Services
Dept. of Social Services
P. O. Box 88
Jefferson City
MO 65103 (314) 751-2981

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept., Attn: Adoption Information Registry
Court of Jurisdiction: County Circuit Court - Juvenile Division
Age of Majority: 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1917
Records Availability: By court order. Active Registry requiring Adoptive Parents' permission for those finalized before 1986.

Montana

Dept. of Social & Rehabilitation Services:
Social Svcs. Bureau
111 Sanders Street
Helena
MT 59601 (406) 444-5622

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: District or Tribal Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1973
Records Availability: After Oct. 1, 1997, placement records released unless Birth Parent veto. July 1, 1967-Sept. 30, 1997, by court order. Before 1967, Original Birth Certificates released upon request. Passive Registry. Intermediary System.

Nebraska

Dept. of Public Welfare
Division of Social Services
P. O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509 (401) 471-3121

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: County Court
Age of Majority: 19 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1941
Records Availability: By law, over age 25, unless Birth Parent veto is on record. In practice, Adoptive Parents can veto, and unless a Birth Parent waiver is on file, records are being denied. Waiver System. Active Registry.

Nevada

Dept. of Human Rscrs.
Welfare Division
251 Jeanell Drive
Capitol Mall Complex
Carson City
NV 89710 (702) 687-4760

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Know
Records Availability: By court order. Passive Registry.

New Hampshire

Dept. of Health & Welfare
Bureau of Child & Family Services
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-6202

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1938
Records Availability: By court order. Waiver System. Intermediary System.

New Jersey

Dept. of Institutions & Agencies:
Division of Youth & Family Services
P. O. Box 510
Trenton
NJ 08625 (609) 292-8816 (609) 292-5268

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Limited Access.
Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: County Surrogate, Superior or Juvenile Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1941
Records Availability: By court order.

New Mexico

Human Services Dept., Social Services Division
Adoption Services
P. O. Box 2348
Santa Fe
NM 87504-2348 (505) 827-8413

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1950
Records Availability: By court order. Intermediary System.

New York

Dept. of Social Services
NY St. Adoption Services
40 N. Pearl St.
Albany
NY 12243-0001 (518) 474-2868

State Reunion Registry: Yes.

NY St. Health Dept.
Adoption Information Registry
Corning Tower - Room 208
Empire State Plaza
Albany
NY 12237-0023 (518) 474-1746)

Court of Jurisdiction: Family, Surrogate, or Supreme Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old - but must be 21 to request adoption-related information.
Year Records Closed: 1938
Records Availability: By court order. Passive Registry.

North Carolina

Dept. of Human Rscrs.
Child Services Bureau
Division of Social Services
325 N. Salisbury
Raleigh, NC 27611 (919) 733-0598

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old. However, must be 21 to receive non-identifying information.
Year Records Closed: 1938
Records Availability: By court order.

North Dakota

Children & Family Services
Russell Building
P. O. Box 7
Bismarck
ND 58505 (701) 224-2316

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: District or Probate Courts
Age of Majority: 21 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Unknown
Records Availability: By court order. Active Registry. Waiver System.

Ohio

OH Dept. of Human Services
Division of Social Services
Bureau of Child Services
30 E. Broad Street 30th Floor
Columbus
OH 43215 (614) 464-4000

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact Vital Statistics Agency:

Ohio Dept. of Health, Division of Vital Statistics
65 South Front Street
Columbus
OH 43266-0333 (614) 466-2531

Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1964
Records Availability: Before 1964, Adoptees may be able to obtain Original
Birth Certificate, unless there was a request to reissue the Adoptive Birth Certificate. After 1964, by court order. Passive Registry.

Oklahoma

Dept. of Human Service
Division of Child Welfare
P. O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City
OK 73125 (405) 521-2778

State Reunion Registry: Yes. But only for adoptions arranged by the state.
Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court where the adoptive family resides.
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1953
Records Availability: By court order. Passive Registry. New Intermediary System.

Oregon

Dept. of Human Rsrcs.
Children Services Division
Adoption Services
198 Commerical St. SE
Salem
OR 97310-0450 (503) 378-6224

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit or District Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1957
Records Availability: New law granting Adoptees records at age 21 is on hold. Currently by court order. Registry. Intermediary System.

Pennsylvania

Dept. of Public Welfare
Office of Children, Youth & Families
P. O. Box 2675
Harrisburg
PA 17120 (717) 787-7750

State Reunion Registry: Yes. For birthparents only. Adoptees should write frequently to check registry.
Court of Jurisdiction: Court of Common Pleas
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Known
Records Availability: Access to Original Birth Certificate at age 18 with waiver from Birth Parent. Intermediary System. Passive Registry. Medical Registry.

Rhode Island

Dept. of Children & Their Families
618 Mt. Pleasant Avenue
Providence
RI 02908 (401) 457-4708

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Family Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Prior to 1930
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

South Carolina

SC Dept. of Social Services
Adoption & Birth Parent Svcs.
P. O. Box 1520
Columbia
SC 29202-1520 (803) 734-6095

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Agency
Court of Jurisdiction: Family Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1963
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

South Dakota

Dept. of Social Services
Richard F. Kneip Bldg.
700 Governor's Dr.
Pierre
SD 57501 (605) 773-3521

State Reunion Registry: Voluntary. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Unknown
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

Tennessee

Dept. of Human Services
Post Adoption Branch
400 Deaderick St.
Nashville
TN 37248-9000 (615) 741-3263

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction:

- Before 1950: Probate or County Courts
- After 1950: Chancery or Circuit Courts

Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old - must be 21 yrs. old to access records.
Year Records Closed: 1950
Records Availability: Original Birth Certificates to adult Adoptees at age 21, unless their birth was a result of rape or incest. If Birth Parents do not desire contact, Adoptees must sign an agreement not to contact in order to obtain records.

Texas

Dept. of Human Resources
706 Bannister Ln.
P. O. Box 2960
Austin
TX 78709 (512) 450-3011

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact Dept. of Health:

Texas Dept. of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
1100 W. 49th St.
Austin
TX 78756
Attn: Voluntary Mutual Consent Registry (512) 458-7111)

Court of Jurisdiction: District Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1935
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

Utah

Dept. of Social Services
Division of Family Services
120 N. 200 West
Salt Lake City
UT 84103 (801) 468-5465
State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact:

Vital Statistics Agency
Attn: Adoption Registry
(801) 538-6363
Utah State Dept. of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P. O. Box 16700
Salt Lake City
UT 84116-0700 (801) 538-6380

Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Always
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

Vermont

Dept. of Social and Rehabilitation Services
103 S. Main St.
Waterbury
VT 05676 (802) 864-7467

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate Court
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1946
Records Availability: Before 1986, access to Adoptees at age 18, with Birth Parent consent. After 1986, full access unless a Birth Parent veto is on file. Waiver System maintained in Central Registry.

Virginia

VA Dept. of Health
Division of Social Services
Adoption Reports Unit
8007 Discovery Dr.
Richmond
VA 23229-8699 (804) 662-9855

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Circuit Court, Chancery Division
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Known
Records Availability: In parental consent adoptions after July 1994,at age 18 all records are open to all involved parties. Before this date, by court order only. Intermediary System.

Washington

Dept. of Social & Health Services:
Bureau of Children's Services Office
Building #2
Olympia
WA 98504 (206) 753-7039

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Superior or Family Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1953
Records Availability: At age 18 after Oct. 1, 1993, unless Birth Parent vetoes. By court order prior to that. Intermediary System.

West Virginia

Dept. of Social Services
1900 Washington St. E
Charleston
WV 25305 (304) 348-4098

State Reunion Registry: Yes. Contact State Adoption Dept.
Court of Jurisdiction: Juvenile or Circuit Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Known
Records Availability: Court order. Passive Registry.

Wisconsin

Dept. of Health & Social Services:
Division of Community Services
1 W. Wilson St.
Madison
WI 53702
Attn: Adoption Search Coord. (608) 266-7163

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: Probate or Circuit Courts
Age of Majority: 18 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: 1929
Records Availability: Access to Original Birth Certificate at age 18, with Birth Parent consent. Passive Registry for Birth Parents. Active Registry for Adoptees.

Wyoming

Dept. of Health & Social Services:
Division of Public Assistance & Social Services
Hathaway Bldg.
Cheyenne
WY 82002 (307) 777-7656

State Reunion Registry: None
Court of Jurisdiction: District Court
Age of Majority: 19 yrs. old
Year Records Closed: Not Known
Records Availability: By court order. Intermediary System and Registry.

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