Missouri Adoption Laws
Access to Adoption Records
Who May Access InformationCitation: Ann. Stat. § 453.121
Nonidentifying information is available to:
- The adoptive parents
- The child's legal guardians
- The adult adoptee
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.121
Nonidentifying information, if known, concerning undisclosed birth parents or siblings shall be provided upon written request. Nonidentifying information can include the physical description, nationality, religious background, and medical history of the birth parents or siblings.
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.121
An aedult adoptee may make a written request for information identifying his or her birth parents. If the birth parents have consented to the release of identifying information, the court shall disclose the information. If the birth parents have not consented, the court shall notify in writing, within 10 days of receipt of the request, the adoptive parents and the child-placing agency or court personnel having access to the information. For adoptions completed prior to 8-13-1986, the adoptive parents must consent to contacting the birth parents unless there is proof that the adoptive parents are deceased or incapacitated.
If the agency or court is unable to notify the birth parent within 3 months, the identifying information shall not be disclosed to the adult adoptee. If an affidavit executed by a birth parent authorizing the release of information is filed with the court, the court shall disclose the identifying information.
An adult adoptee may request identifying information about an adult sibling when such information is necessary for urgent health-related purposes. Identifying information pertaining exclusively to the adult sibling shall be released only upon consent of that adult sibling.
The department shall maintain a registry for birth parents, adult siblings, and adult adoptees to indicate their desire to be contacted by each other. At the time of registration, a birth parent or adult sibling may consent in writing to the release of identifying information to an adult adoptee. If such consent has not been executed and the division believes that a match has occurred, the division shall make confidential contact with the birth parents or adult siblings and with the adult adoptee. The birth parent, adult sibling, or adult adoptee may refuse to go forward with any further contact between the parties when contacted by the division.
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 193.125
The State Registrar shall file the original certificate of birth with the certificate of decree of adoption and such file may be opened by the State Registrar only upon receipt of a certified copy of an order as decreed by the court of adoption.
Where the Information Can Be Located
Missouri Division of Family Services, Adoption Information Registry
Contact:
Missouri Division of Family ServicesAdoption Information Registry
P.O. Box 88
Jefferson City, MO 65103
(800) 554-2222
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/adopt/adoir.htm
Please mark the letter "Confidential."
Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)
for all of your adoption needs including:
