Access to Adoption Records

Who May Access Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, §§ 6-104; 6-105

Nonidentifying information is available to:

• The adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adoptee
• The adoptee who is age 18 or older or has been emancipated
• A deceased adoptee's direct descendant who is age 18 or older, or a parent or guardian of a descendant who is under age 18
• The adoptee's birth parent, grandparent, or sibling

Identifying information may be disclosed to:

• An adoptee who is age 18 or older or has been emancipated
• A deceased adoptee's direct descendant who is age 18 or older or the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is younger than age 18
• The birth parent
• A birth sibling who is age 18 or older

Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, §§ 6-104; 2-105

Any person listed above may request a detailed summary of any relevant report about the adopteen, the birth parents, and the adoptee's genetic history, including the information required by § 2-105 of this title. This report shall exclude identifying information concerning an individual who has not signed a waiver of confidentiality. The report shall include all of the following nonidentifying information that is reasonably available:

• A social and health history of the child
• Any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse known to have been suffered by the child
• Enrollment and performance in school, results of educational testing, and any special educational needs
• An account of the child's past and existing relationships with any relative, foster parent, or other persons
• A social and health history of the minor's parents and extended family, including:
  • Health and genetic history, including any known hereditary condition or disease
  • Racial, ethnic, and religious background and general physical description
  • Educational, vocational, athletic, artistic, or scientific achievement or interests
  • The existence of any other child of the parents

Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, §§ 6-105; 6-106

For adoptions finalized prior to 7-1-1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information if the birth parent has filed any kind of document that clearly indicates that he or she consents to such disclosure.

For adoptions finalized on or after 7-1-1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information without requiring the consent of the birth parent unless the birth parent has filed a request for nondisclosure in accordance with the provisions of § 6-106 of this title and has not withdrawn the request.

Identifying information about the adoptee shall be disclosed to the birth parent if the adoptive parent of the adoptee who is younger than age 18 consents to the disclosure. Identifying information about a deceased adoptee shall be disclosed to the birth parent or sibling upon request if the deceased adoptee's direct descendant is age 18 or older and consents to the disclosure; or the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is less than 18 years old consents to the disclosure. Identifying information about a birth sibling shall be disclosed to the adoptee upon request if both the sibling and the adoptee are age 18 or older and the sibling consents to disclosure.

A birth parent may prevent disclosure of identifying information by filing a request for nondisclosure with the registry. A request for nondisclosure may be withdrawn by a birth parent at any time.

Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 6-107

The original birth certificate may be released upon request to an adoptee who is age 18 or older and who has access to identifying information.

The original birth certificate is unsealed and becomes public record 99 years after the date of the adoptee's birth.

Contact:

Vermont Adoption Registry
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2401
(802) 241-2122
http://www.state.vt.us/srs/adoption/registry.html

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