Access to Adoption Records

Who May Access Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7508-1.3

The services of a confidential intermediary are available to:

• The adult adoptee
• The legal parent or guardian of the child of a deceased adoptee
• The adult descendant of a deceased adoptee
• The birth parent
• The adult birth sibling or grandparent of an adult adoptee
• The sibling of a deceased birth parent

Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7508-1.3

If the person who is the subject of the search is not willing to share identifying information, meet, or communicate with the person who initiated the search, the confidential intermediary shall attempt to obtain any nonidentifying medical or social history information that has been requested by the person who has initiated the search.

If nonidentifying medical or social history information was obtained, the administrator shall provide a copy of the nonidentifying information to the person who initiated the search.

Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, §§ 7508-1.2; 7508-1.3

The department shall establish a search program using the services of a confidential intermediary that may be used by eligible persons listed above to locate an adult birth relative with whom contact has been lost through adoption.

If a birth relative of an adoptee, other than a birth parent, applies to initiate a search or is the subject of a search, the administrator of the confidential intermediary search program shall ascertain from the State Registrar of Vital Statistics whether an affidavit of nondisclosure by a birth parent is on file. If such an affidavit is on file and has not been revoked, the search may not be initiated.

The intermediary will conduct a reasonable search for an individual being sought and make a discreet and confidential inquiry as to whether the individual consents to the release of identifying information or medical information or to meeting or communicating with the individual initiating the search. If the individual initiating the search and the individual being sought consent in writing to meet or to communicate with each other, the intermediary will act to facilitate any meeting or communication between them.

If the confidential intermediary is able to locate the subject of the search, he or she shall make a discreet and confidential inquiry as to whether the person who is the subject of the search will consent to share identifying information, communicate, or meet with the person who initiated the search. The inquiry shall be by personal and confidential contact, without disclosing the identifying information about the person who initiated the search.

If the person who is the subject of the search is willing to share identifying information, communicate, or meet with the person who initiated the search, the confidential intermediary shall obtain this consent in writing.

Contact:

Confidential Intermediary Search Program
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-4373

Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7505-6.6

For adoptions finalized after 11-1-1997, an uncertified copy of the original birth certificate is available to an adoptee, age 18 or older, upon written request under the following conditions:

• He or she presents proof of identity.
• There are no birth siblings under age 18 who are currently in an adoptive family and whose whereabouts are known.
• The birth parents have not filed affidavits of nondisclosure.

Original birth certificates are also available upon order of the court for good cause shown, pursuant to § 7505-1.1.

Where the Information Can Be Located

• Adoption Reunion Registry, Oklahoma Department of Human Services
• Confidential Intermediary Search Program
  

Using the Adoption Registry:

The following persons may use the registry:

• adopted adults age 18 or older unless there is a minor birth sibling in the family or the location of a birth sibling is known,
• adoptive parents or legal guardians of an adoptee under 18 or deceased,
  
• adult descendants of a deceased adopted adult,
  
• birth parents, and
  
• adult biological relatives of an adopted adult unless the birth parents have filed an affidavit of non-disclosure

Contact:

Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-4373

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