Vermont Adoption Laws

Access to Adoption Records

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:

Adopted adults age 18 or older, adoptive parents or legal guardians of adopted adults, descendants of deceased adopted adult, birth parents, birth grandparents, and birth siblings must go through the registry to receive information if the adoption was finalized through the State. All other requesters must go through the appropriate agency.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

Identifying information is provided through the registry.

Using the Adoption Registry:

Adopted adults age 18 or older, adult descendants of deceased adopted adults, birth parents, and birth siblings age 18 or older may use the registry. Mutual consent is required for those adoptions finalized before July 1, 1986. If the adoption was finalized on or after July 1, 1986, the adopted adult can receive identifying information if the birth parents have not filed a request for nondisclosure.