CALIFORNIA Law/ReformAccess to California Adoption Records or Information Non-identifying information, as well as letters, photographs or other items of personal property in the possession of the agency are to be released to the person for whom they were intended after the adoptee turns eighteen, provided that there is a written consent to the release of the person items. In the case of adoptions occurring before 1984, contact between an adoptee and birth parent may be arranged if the adoptee, birth parents and adoptive parents have filed waivers of confidentiality with the Department or agency. The Department or agency is prohibited from soliciting such waiver. In the case of adoptions occurring after 1984, adoptees may receive identifying information about their birth parents (including the most current known address) at the age of 21 if the Department of Social Services or a licensed adoption agency has received an affidavit from the birth parent authorizing such disclosure. Identifying information is available to adoptive parents any time the Department or agency determines that "medical necessity or other extraordinary circumstances justify the disclosure." In the case of adoptions occurring after January 1, 1984, birth parents may receive information regarding the status of their child any time after the adoption, except identifying information respecting the adoptive family. Identifying information regarding the adoptee may be disclosed if the adoptee is over 21 and has filed a consent to such disclosure. Biological siblings may be "matched" with an adoptee who is over 21 if waivers of confidentiality are filed. The birth parent must consent to release of identifying information if the sibling lived with the birth parent until he or she reached 18.
California Open Counties Some counties in CA are considered to be OPEN COUNTIES ie. These counties consider "the adoptive parents parties to the adoption, and therefore entitled to the court records.". NOTE* Getting conflicting reports on this. Some Open Counties are now saying that the adoptive parents are not parties to the ORIGINAL adoption. They claim that the original adoption was to the State as Guardians. Makes NO sense. It is reported that you MUST have your case number when you go to the court house, so be sure to call first to get it, if you don't have it. Hearing that some counties are "opting out" of this and saying they are no longer Open counties.
Alameda County, Clerk of the Court,
Contra Costa County,
Marin County, Hall of Justice,
Orange County Superior Court,
Santa Clara County,
Shasta County,
Santa Barbara County,
|