Are all adoption records sealed in the U.S.A?

Question

What states have open records and what states don't? I was born in IL, and I tried to get my OBC, but I was told I had to get my b-mom's permisson. And if she was dead(and she is), i would have to go to court and get permission. I was wondering if all records were sealed. Thanks!

Answer 1

No not all records are sealed.  I know for certain that Maine and NH have open records.  Massachusetts sort of has open records, only for people born in certain years.

Other states that have open records include Kansas, Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee, Delaware, and Oregon.

Answer 2

Phil nailed it.  Only 6 states treat adult adopted citizens equally under the law to non-adopted citizens.  

It's time that all people are treated equally.  Having been adopted is not a trait that should allow the state to deny me a right the non-adopted have.

Answer 3

Thanks Phil for your answer! its DEAD ON! I don't count delaware and tennesse because  they aren't honoring the unconditional rights of adoptees. Disclosure vetos are a violation of our rights!

I also wanted to add....ALL Records are sealed, and become available at the age of majority in the states mentioned above. ( Minus Kansas and Alaska, they never sealed them from adoptees )

Answer 4

It is a little complicated:

8 states have open records:  Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Tennessee.

Delaware has a disclosure veto, so that first parents can fill out a form resealing the records.

Maine opens records in 2009.

Tennessee has a disclosure veto for cases of rape or incest.

In several other states, there are blocks of years for which the records are unsealed.  (If, for example, you were born before 1965 in Ohio, you can access your records.  Otherwise, not.)

"As of September 2007, legislation had been

introduced in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas intended to provide

adult adopted persons with access to their original birth certificates and/or other information in their

adoption records."

There are changes in the works.  Not all of these are "clean" bills - a "clean" bill is one that does not include a disclosure veto.  (Indeed, I know Minnesota isn't "clean."  Ohio is "clean" with respect to a disclosure veto, but sets aside funding to encourage more relinquishment.)  But the there is an air of change about all of this.

As you can see, though, Illinois isn't on this list anywhere.  I'm sorry about your situation.

Answer 5

No, not all states have sealed records.

Oregon passed an open records law some time ago, and I think Kansas and Alaska never sealed their records, but I could be wrong.