Is New York a closed or open adoption state?

Question

I was adopted in New York but don't have any details, and my adoptive mother doesn't want to discuss it.

Answer 1

It is a very closed state.  You might want to check out New York's Unsealed Initiative's page.  They are working hard to get records unsealed in New York.

Answer 2

closed

Answer 3

Who May Access Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The following persons may receive information:

The adopted person who is age 18 or older

The natural parents

A natural sibling who is age 18 or older

The adoptive parents of an adopted person who is under age 18

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Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The department shall operate an adoption information registry for the exchange of nonidentifying information between the persons listed above. Nonidentifying information shall only include the following information, if known, about the adopted person, natural parents, and natural siblings:

The age of the parents in years at the time of the child’s birth

The heritage of the parents, including nationality, ethnic background, race, and religion

Education completed by the parents at the time of the child’s birth

General physical appearance of the parents at the time of the child’s birth, including height, weight, color of

hair, eyes, skin, and other information of similar nature

The occupation of the parents

The health history of the parents

The talents, hobbies, and special interests of the parents

The facts and circumstances relating to the adoption

The existence of any known birth siblings

Upon acceptance of a registration, the department shall search registry records to determine whether the adopted person’s adoption occurred within the State. If the adoption did occur within the State, the department shall request nonidentifying information from court records. If the department determines that the adoption did not occur within the State, it shall notify the registrant that no record exists of the adoption occurring within the State.

If an agency was involved in the adoption, nonidentifying information may be accessed by registering the mutual consent voluntary adoption registry maintained by the agency.

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Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The department shall operate an adoption information registry for the exchange of information between the persons

listed above. Any person whose registration was accepted may withdraw the registration prior to the release of any

identifying information.

Upon acceptance of a registration, the department shall search the registry files to determine whether the person

sought is registered. If there is a match, the department shall notify the court to request the person’s final consent to

the release of identifying information.

Upon receipt of a final consent by the adopted person, birth parent, and/or birth sibling, the department shall,

unless the adopted person or birth sibling has elected otherwise, release identifying information to all the registrants.

Such identifying information shall be limited to the names and addresses of the registrants and shall not include any other information contained in the adoption or birth records.

A mutual consent voluntary adoption registry may be maintained by each agency involved in an adoption. Persons eligible to receive identifying information may work through the agency involved in the adoption. The agency shall accept and maintain the registrations of an adopted person, the natural parents, or a natural sibling. If the agency determines that the agency was involved in the adoption, it shall transmit the registration to the adoption information registry operated by the department and release nonidentifying information.

An adoption medical information subregistry shall be part of the registry. Access to all identifying records and information in the subregistry shall be subject to the same restrictions as the adoption information registry. The department shall establish procedures by which a birth parent may provide medical information to the subregistry, and by which an adopted person age 18 or older, or the adoptive parents of an adopted person who is under age 18, may access the medical information.



Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Pub. Health Law § 4138

The original birth certificate is available only upon order of the court.

Where the Information Can Be Located

New York State Department of Health, Adoption Registry

And here is the link to the NY state registry per UGB  : The New York State Adoption Information Registry is located here:

http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco...

thank you www.childwelfare.gov for that!

Search & Support

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nyadoptees...

Adoption Crossroads has bbq’s and healing weekends for family separated by adoption also :)

Don’t forget ISRR ( http://www.isrr.net )<<< a MUST!

Answer 4

Good answers from Gershom.

it help to more than one.

Answer 5

Closed, my hubby was adopted and still to date is having a hard time getting records, your mother has some stuff she got when you were adopted by her there are international web sites you can register with to see if you biological mother is looking for you and also the Mormons keep all birth records you can write to them for some info. your adoptive mom may not want to talk about it cause it hurts her that you want to know this info, try talking to her and explaining how you feel and that this doesn't change the fact that she is still your mother and you are her daughter and you still love her.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

New York has closed records.  They can be opened via a court order if the petitioner shows "good cause."

http://laws.adoption.com/statutes/new-yo...

Answer 7

It's closed but there is a pending bill in the legislation. So if you ever want to know your real truth..start writing letters to your state reps!

From the lobby site Unsealed Iniative: ( http://www.unsealedinitiative.org/html/b...

A2277 Summary:

Enacts Bill of Adoptee Rights clarifying language and procedures for obtaining birth certificates and medical histories of adoptees; allows adopted adults to learn who their birth parents are when they reach the age of 18, subject to a contact preference filed by the birth parents.

SENATE:

SPONSOR Larkin

Co Sponsors Robach, Bonacic, LaValle, De Francisco, Nozzolio

Also there are 14 supporters

ASSEMBLY:

SPONSOR Koon

COSPNSR Arroyo, Dinowitz, Gianaris, Gordon, Gottfried, Peoples, Powell, Rivera P, Wright, Butler, P. Rivera, Young., P. Lopez, Fields, Gabryszak, Mayersohn and Jaffee

MLTSPNSR Alfano, Aubertine, Bing, Cook, DelMonte, R Diaz, Galef, Gunther, Lopez, Magnarelli, Miller J, Millman, Nolan, Paulin, Perry, Quinn, Rivera J, Thiele, Towns, Townsend, Weisenberg, Barra, Farrell, Mckevitt, Magee, Seminerio, Spano, Alessi, Greene, Hooper, Lupardo, Lifton

Also there are 32 supporters

Answer 8

It's closed. Sorry.