States with Open Adoption Records
Currently, adult adoptees can obtain an original birth certificate and may also receive additional adoption information.
United States of America
- Alabama – Adoption records are open.
- Alaska – Adoption records are open.
- Colorado – Adoption records are open.
- Connecticut – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 10/01/1983.
- Delaware – Adoption records are open. Birth parents can sign a no-contact veto.
- Illinois – Adoption records are open.
- U – Access to original birth certificates available in July 2018.
- Iowa – Adoption records are open before 07/01/1941.
- Kansas – Adoption records are open.
- Maine – Adoption records are open.
- Maryland – Most adoption records before 06/01/1947 are open.
- Massachusetts – Adoption records are open for birth years before 4/14/1974.
- Michigan – Adoption records are open if the birth parent’s rights were terminated before 05/28/1945 or on or after 09/12/1980.
- Minnesota – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 8/1/1982.
- Missouri - Records before 1941 are available and access after 1941 now available.
- Montana – Adoption records are now open as long as the birth occurred 30 years ago or more. So, at age 30, people can now obtain their original birth certificates.
- New Hampshire – Adoption records are open.
- New Jersey – Adoption records are open.
- Ohio – Adoption records are open.
- Oklahoma – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 11/01/1997.
- Oregon – Adoption records are open.
- Pennsylvania – Adoption records are open.
- Rhode Island – Adoption records are open.
- Tennessee – Adoption records are open. No-contact vetos are available to birth parents if the adoption was finalized after 1951.
- Vermont – Adoption records are open for adoptions finalized after 07/01/1986.
- Washington – Adoption records are open.
