Tennessee Adoption Laws

Access to Adoption Records

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:

Adopted adults age 18 or older, adoptive parents, stepparents or legal parents of an adopted adult, birth parents, birth siblings, and direct descendants of adopted adults may obtain non-identifying information.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

If an adoption was finalized before March 16, 1951, adopted adults age 21 or older, birth parents, adoptive parents, stepparents or legal parents, and birth siblings age 21 or older can receive a copy of the adoption records, which includes the original birth certificate.

If an adoption was finalized after March 16, 1951, adopted adults age 21 or older, birth parents, adoptive parents, step or legal parents, birth siblings age 21 or older can receive a copy of the adoption records, which includes the original birth certificate. They shall not contact or attempt to contact in any manner any of the persons eligible to file a contact veto.

A Contact Veto Registry has been established by the Department of Children's Services for the purpose of permitting registration of the willingness or unwillingness for contact with persons who seek contact with them. All parties must go through this registry before contacting the subject of the search.

Contact:

Department of Children's Services
Post Adoption Unit
436 6th Avenue, NW
8th Floor, Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1290
(615)532-5637
http://www.state.tn.us/youth/adoption/accessto.htm

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:

See provisions above under Obtaining Identifying Information.

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