At what age can a person look at their personal files (concerning adoption).?

Question

Say child A is born. She is adopted by family A. A year later, child B is born. She is adopted by family B. The adoption is open. One year later the birth mother dies. At what age can child A find out the info about child B (and visa versa)?

Answer 1

In Tennessee an adoptee can see their records at the age of 18 or 21.  However most states do not allow anyone to see the adoption records.  In six states, adoptees and some of the adoptive parents can see an uncertified copy of the OBC.

Answer 2

In my birth state and every other state I have ever lived in (four and counting), the answer is never.

NEVER.

Stinks, doesn't it?

Answer 3

you can't. Only the children can find out about their adoptions, and the parents involved.

Answer 4

I think the only way is if the adoptive parents requested it; and maybe not even then.  If the adoptive parents knew about the other child, they might be able to do something about getting information on him/her; but for the adoptee, it's almost impossible.

Even in the states with "open records", that only applies to the original birth certificate, as far as I know.  I don't think it includes adoption agency files.  But I could be wrong...

Answer 5

if it's closed, then legally, never.  in reality, any time you can find eachother.

Answer 6

Depends on the state...sadly, maybe never.  Even if the state has open records you'd need to be 18.

Answer 7

Never.  adoption files are sealed.

Answer 8

It really depends on the state.

My state the adoptive parents in certain counties can contact the agency or state adoption was finalized in and get the entire contents of the file before the adoptees 18.

But the adoptee can NEVER get it.

go think about that for a while. pffft.

http://www.AdopteeRights.net click on searching once you click on that link and then find your state and click on it to see your states adoption laws for contact and receiving information.

Really sorry about the mother passing. Loss a second time, is even harder. I don't know how I'll survive my mothers death when the time comes.