My sister was adopted,and she's trying to get her adoption papers,how does she go about it?

Question

She needs to know where to go and what questions she needs to ask to obtain this information.

Answer 1

The records are usually sealed, and she'd have to go through a judge in the courthouse where her records were originally issued.  The best place to search is to ask your parents.  Good luck!

Answer 2

If she is over 18 years old she can request them. I would try the adoption agency that arranged the adoption and see if they can help, if not they should point her in the right direction. The adoption agency may also offer counselling and birth parents tracing. Hope this is of some help.

Answer 3

If you would like to add what country / state she was born in - you may get more answers.

In many US states - adoption records are sealed for LIFE. That means you can never get them.

Check out the links Gershom gave you to check on her state if she's in the US.

Australia and the UK have open records (YAY) - and things are much easier.

Do make sure she does the following -

Add your details to these free registries -

http://www.isrr.net/

http://registry.adoption.com/

Check here for search help - and links to free search angels -

http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org/

And check here for any support - it's the best online forum for adoptees I've found -

http://www.adultadoptees.org/

All the very best with the search.

ETA: I just saw your added info.

Sadly - this is how adoption is carried out in the USA.

When an adoption takes place - in most states - they issue a new birth certificate - with the adoptive parents as giving birth to the adoptee - and all the adoption documents and original birth certificate are sealed away forever.

It sucks.

It is so so so wrong.

It's essentially a false document.

I'm so sorry that you've had to find this out this way.

I so wish the USA would open all records in all states - just like Australia and the UK have done.

In the US - they sadly treat adoptees as second class citizens - and never allow them to be old enough to know their own truth.

Do think about writing to your state government and asking - demanding - change.

There is also an adoptee rights demonstration going on in New Orleans in July - here are the details -

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/

Answer 4

Depends on the state she was adopted into.

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/?...

That link will take you to state laws for the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

If she's trying to get her original birth certificate and lives in one of the 44 states of the US which don't give them to adoptees, then she'll have to really fight for it!

http://www.AdopteeRights.net is the link to a protest adoptees are organizing to protest our sealed adoption records at the annual state legislatures convention this July! ( less than 2 months! )

good luck!

PM me if you need help

Answer 5

I would try the courthouse that her adoption was finalized at.