Open Adoption Records
If you are adopted, it's only natural that you will have some curiosity about your birth family. After all, they are the people from whom you've inherited your DNA. The way you look, any genetic conditions you may have and even some of your interests and talents may all be determined by your biological line of heredity. Even if you don't want to contact your birth family, you may still want to know something about them in order to learn more about yourself. If this is the case, you need to learn open adoption records.
Instructions
1. Research the laws regarding adoption records in your state.
2. Find out what court handled your adoption. Your adoptive parents are usually the best source for this information. If asking them is not possible, inquire at the court in the town where you were born (if you know what town it was) or where your adoptive parents were living at the time of your birth.
3. Go to the court that handled your adoption and ask the clerk for a petition to open your records. You'll usually be given this free of charge--no questions asked.
4. Fill out the petition. You'll be asked the reason you want your adoption records to be unsealed. Having a reason beyond simple curiosity increases your chances of success.
5. Submit the petition to the court clerk. You'll be given a hearing date. That is the date the judge will consider and rule on your petition.
6. Show up in court for the hearing. In most cases, your physical presence is not required, but it reflects favorably upon you and can improve the odds of the judge granting your request.
Tags: your adoption, your birth, adoption records, adoptive parents, birth family, handled your, handled your adoption