States With Open Adoption Records (UPDATED)

This is not an endorsement for OMNITRACE (2014) | States With Open Adoption Records
Read this: http://www.womensvoicesmagazine.com/family-section/search-angels/#.VJbI94DAN8

There are several states that have open adoption records.  In these states, an adult adoptee can get an original birth certificate and in some instances more adoption record information. If you are an adoptee looking for your birth parents in an open adoption records state, please request your open adoption records.  However, when you obtain your original birth records, your search might still be difficult.  Having information such as your birth mother’s maiden name and perhaps her old address is a great start, but you will still need to get her current name and address information.  Your birth mother might have changed her name several times, or she might not live in the state where you were adopted.

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

• Alabama – Adoption records are open. 
• Alaska – Adoption records are open. 
• Colorado – Adoptions records are open for adoptees whose adoptions were  finalized between 07/01/1951 to 06/30/1967 and 09/01/1999 to present.
• Connecticut – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 10/01/1983.
• Delaware – Adoption records are open.  Birth parents can sign a no contact veto. 
• Illinois - Adoption records are open. 
• Indiana – Adoption records prior to 1940 may be open.  OmniTrace is currently investigating how to request the original birth certificate.
• Iowa – Adoption records are open prior to 07/01/1941.
• Kansas – Adoption records are open.
• Maine – Adoption records are open. 
• Maryland – Most adoption records prior to 06/01/1947 are open.
• Massachusetts – Adoption records are open for birth years prior to 4/14/1974. 
• Michigan – Adoption records are open if the birth parent’s rights were terminated prior to 05/28/1945 or on or after 09/12/1980.
• Montana – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized prior to 2/2/1967. 
• New Hampshire – Adoption records are open. 
• New Jersey – Adoption Records (original birth certificate) will be open (FINALLY) in 2017.
• Ohio – Adoption records are now open for adoptions finalized prior to 1/1/1964.  Post adoption records (original birth certificates) will be available on March 18, 2015.
• Oklahoma – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 11/01/1997
• Oregon – Adoption records are open. 
• Rhode Island - Adoption records are open. 
• Tennessee – Adoption records are open.  No-contact vetos are available to birth parents if the adoption was finalized after 1951.
• Vermont – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 07/01/1986.
• Washington – Adoption records are open as of July 1, 2014.

Canada:

• Alberta – Open.
• British Columbia – Open. 
• Newfoundland – Open.
• Ontario – Open.
• Manitoba – Opening 2015.
• New Brunswick – Opening soon.

Changes coming soon:

• Colorado – Access to original birth certificates as of 01/01/2016 for all birth years. 
• Ohio - Ohio Post 1964 Opening 03/18/2015! – Adoption records will be open to adoptee when age 18 years or older, effective March 18, 2015, with the recent passage of Senate bill 23. Biological parents will be able to file a name redaction request form between March 18, 2014 and March 18, 2015.
• New Jersey – Access to Original Birth Certificates beginning 01/01/2017

Please note, if you were born in a state that does not have open adoption records, don’t be discouraged. 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.


This information was posted at OMNI TRACE who charges you the adoptee to search. I am not endorsing them or their services. If you google search your state of birth, there are State Adoption Services and the forms you will need and what they will charge you ... Trace