Access to Adoption Records

Who May Access Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-746

Nonidentifying information is available to the following persons:

• The adult adoptee
• The adoptive parents or guardian of the child
• The legal representative of the adoptee
• If the adoptee is deceased, any adult descendants, including adopted descendants

Identifying information may be accessed by:

• The adult adoptee
• Any birth parent of the adult adoptee, including any person claiming to be the father who was not a party to the proceedings for the termination of parental rights
• Any adult birth sibling of the adult adoptee
• If the adoptee is deceased, any adult descendants, including legally adopted descendants

Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-746

Nonidentifying information about the birth parents shall be provided in writing to the adopting parents prior to finalization of the adoption.

The birth parents may access the information at any time for the purposes of verifying, correcting, or adding information.

Information about the birth parents includes, but is not limited to:

• Age at the time of the child's birth
• Ethnic background and nationality
• General physical appearance at the time of the child's birth
• Education and occupations of the birth parents
• Talents, hobbies, and special interests
• Existence of any other children born to either parent
• Health history of the birth parents and blood relatives
• Reasons for placing the child for adoption
• Religion of the birth parents
• Any other relevant nonidentifying information

Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-751

Any authorized applicant may, by applying in person or in writing to the child-placing agency or the department, request the release of identifying information. The information should be released unless:

• The consents of every person whose identity is sought, as required by § 45a-751b, are not given.
• The release of the requested information would seriously disrupt or endanger the physical or emotional health of the applicant or the person whose identity is being requested.

Contact:

Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Office of Foster and Adoption Services
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 550-6578
(860) 550-3453

Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 7-53

Any person seeking to examine or obtain a copy of the original birth certificate must obtain a written order from the court in the jurisdiction in which the adoptee was adopted or born. The court will determine that the examination or issuance of a copy of the birth certificate of the adoptee by the adopting parents or the adoptee, if older than age 18, or by any other person will not be detrimental to the public interest or to the welfare of the adoptee or the birth or adoptive parents.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

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