Records requests must be received in writing.
Connecticut's Office of Foster Care and Adoption Services oversees the release of adoption records to parties involved in the adoption and allows the release of non-identifying information, such as family history, medical data and adoption circumstances, from an adoption record upon request to adult adoptees and parents of adopted children who are under the age of 18. In addition, identifying information, such as contact information for another party involved in the adoption, may be sought by adult adoptees, birth parents and other members of the birth family.
Instructions
1. Determine the adoption agency involved in your case. Talk to your adoptive parents or others involved in your adoption, or if you are unable to locate the agency that facilitated your adoption on your own, contact the Connecticut Department of Children and Families by telephone at 860-550-6582 or mail by writing to:
DCF Search Unit
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106
2. Write to your adoption agency requesting your adoption records. Connecticut law requires that people seeking information from their adoption records must request information though the agency that completed the adoption. All requests must be made in writing and be signed by a notary to ensure your identity before any non-identifying information can be released from your record.
3. Complete an interview if you want to search for a relative and have his or her identifying information released. The interview must be completed by a licensed clinical social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist or adoption agency worker and allows the agency to begin the search for your relative.
4. Set up a plan for contact between you and the other party. If the party you are searching for agrees to having identifying information released, the adoption agency will help facilitate your first contact in a manner that is acceptable to both of you.
5. Join the agency's reunion registry if your relative does not agree to the release of any identifying information. If your relative changes his or her mind later and joins the registry, the adoption agency will contact you and release his or her information. Contact your agency for its registry paperwork if your search has been unsuccessful thus far and you would like to continue the process.
Tags: adoption agency, identifying information, your adoption, adoption records, information released