Certified copies of adoption papers are either original or court-stamped true test copies of the legal documents establishing a parent/child relationship by adoption. Only judges or clerks of the court may issue certified copies of adoption papers. These copies may be used to obtain a birth certificate in a child's new name, apply for a new passport or Social Security number, or enroll a child in school or daycare.
Instructions
1. Determine whether you qualify to receive copies of the adoption papers. In most U.S. jurisdictions, adoptions are not public record. Without a separate court order, only adoptive parents and adult adoptees born in a limited number of states may obtain certified copies of adoption papers.
2. Petition the court. If you are an adult adoptee or the birth parent of a child placed for adoption, you may be able to obtain certified copies of the adoption papers by petitioning the court. To do so, you must file a motion to open the adoption file with the court in the jurisdiction in which the adoption was finalized. Your petition must outline why you need to re-open the record. You will be given a hearing in front of a judge, who will determine whether you will be able to access the adoption record.
3. Go to the clerk of the court. Only the clerk of the court may issue certified copies of adoption records. If you are an adoptive parent, bring your case number and a photo ID, establishing your identity, to the clerk's office and request a certified copy of the records. If you have obtained a court order to access the records, you will need to bring an original copy to the clerk, along with your driver's license or passport.
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