Do closed adoptions only apply to the parents?

Question

I'm now 25 years old. At 18 I left for the Army, and found out while I was in Iraq that my dad fathered a baby with a woman that abused drugs. The baby was taken away by the state. Upon hearing this I contacted him and told him to inform them I was interested in adopting her. I then found out she had already been adopted. I asked for information, and he said that because of his record they wouldn't let him anywhere near the baby. ( he molested his stepdaughter in 1988) All I know is that she was adopted by two college professors in my hometown.

I don't have a relationship with my father. We haven't been close since his conviction, and we haven't seen eachother or spoken in 7 years.

She would be 6 years old right now. I'm an only child and desperately want to at least see her face, if not have a relationship with her. Do I have any legal right to this? If so, where would I even start the process of trying to find her?

Answer 1

legal right, no you have no rights to the child. If the adoptive parents agreed you could have contact though. But without your fathers permission, you won't get info on this child. And even then it might be hard.

Answer 2

Some states allow sibling registry and exchange of information through the state.

To find out if your state is one of them go to http://www.Adopteerights.net and click on "searchers" and then find your state to read the "contact" laws I have for each one.

If your state is one, then you would contact the state and apply for non id and the state registry.

you will also want to file a release of information and have it inserted into your sisters file through the state incase she or her adoptive parents come looking for information on you guys.

good luck!

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the first answerer is right.  You don't have any legal rights.  However, I would hope that this couple wouldn't have any interest in denying their child the right to her own family, so if I were you, I would give it a try and see what happens.  You'll most likely need to find your sister's caseworker, who will have all the info on the adoptive family.  The caseworker can get ahold of them for you and give them your information.  I wish you luck!!!  Keep us updated!