Sharing Information in an Adoption

Policy

Sharing Non Identifying Information in an Adoption

The following individuals may receive non-identifying information:

• adoptive parents or, if the adoptive parents have died, the adoptee's guardian;

• the adoptee, if 18 years of age or older. If the adoptee has died, the adoptee's spouse, if he or she is the legal parent or guardian of the adoptee's child;

• if the adoptee has died, any child of the adoptee who is 18 years of age or older;

• the birth parent of the adoptee or other biological children of the birth parent.

• the biological grandparents of the adoptee or other members of the adoptee’s extended biological family.

Non-identifying information includes, but is not limited to, health and genetic history, social history and developmental history. It does not include information that specifies an individual, such as names or addresses.

Sharing Identifying Information

Upon request the Department shall facilitate the release of identifying information to birth parents, adoptive parents and/or adoptees to the extent allowable by law.

The Department shall allow certified Confidential Intermediaries to review the following documents:

• Report to the Court on Placement of Child;

• Family History (Non-Identifying Information);

• Pre-placement Summary;

• Family and Home Evaluation and/or Family and Home Reevaluation;

• Adoptive Home Study;

• Court Reports on Petition to Adopt;

• Consent to Place Child for Adoption or ICWA Consent and Certification;

• Religious Waivers;

• Termination of Parental Rights Order;

• Adoptee's Birth Certificate;

• Parent's Death Certificate; and

• Communication Agreements.

A Confidential Intermediary may not remove or photocopy any documents inspected.

The Department shall not allow certified Confidential Intermediaries to inspect documents related to:

• DCS;

• foster care;

• dependency;

• termination of parent-child relationships;

• case notes;

• face sheets; and

• other documents not specified by law