What states have open records for adoptees?

Question

I am just curious which states have open records. And what can be done to advocate for open records in all states?

Answer 1

Alaska (never sealed)

Kansas (never sealed)

Alabama

Maine

New Hampshire

Oregon

Answer 2

Heather's answer is accurate.  These are the 6 states that have full access for adult adopted citizens.  They are treated equally under the law to their non-adopted counterparts.

Other states have laws that may allow only certain adopted citizens to access their birth records.  They have various requirements, up to and including petitioning the court in an attempt to receive access.  

One of the best ways to advocate for change is to keep writing to one's legislators, pointing out the discrimination inherent is these laws.  There are also organizations within various states that are working toward the restoration of equal treatment under the law.

Here is a short list of a few organizations working for the restoration of equal access for adopted citizens:

Arizona - http://www.arizonaopen.org

Hawaii - http://www.adoptioncirclehawaii.com

Illinois - http://www.ilopen.org-a.googlepages.com

Indiana - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianaope...

Louisiana -㏐ http://louisiana.adopteesbirthrightscomm...

Maine - http://www.obcforme.org/

New York - http://unsealedinitiative.org

North Carolina - http://adoptionreform-nc.org

Ohio - http://www.myspace.com/beaohio

Oklahoma - http://www.geocities.com/Oklahoma_Open/O...

Answer 3

Thank you for asking.  This is something that I need as well, and I see a website for NY in one of your answers.

cw