Hawai'i Adoption Laws

Access to Adoption Records

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:

Adoptive parents and adopted adults may receive ethnic and medical history.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

For adoptions finalized before January 1, 1991, adopted adults or adoptive parents must petition the court for information. The court will send a notice to the last known address of the birth parents. If no response is received, the adopted adult can access his or her information. For adoptions finalized after December 31, 1990, the adopted adult or adoptive parents can receive information if there is no affidavit on file requesting confidentiality.

Using the Adoption Registry:

Adopted adults and birth parents may register.

Contact:

Family Court Registry
Court Management Services
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96811

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:

An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.

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