CONNECTICUT Law/Reform

The state of Connecticut includes both adoptees and what they refer to as "adult adoptable persons," defined as individuals whose parents' parental rights were terminated, but who were not adopted, in their legislation. The non-identifying social, genetic, and the health history concerning birth parents is available to adult adoptees, adult adoptable persons and adoptive parents.

The non-identifying information is defined to include the following: the age of birth parent at the time of surrender, education heritage, general physical description, hobbies, talents, special interests, reason for placement, existence of siblings, occupation, religion, health history, information on how the adoption plans were handled, relationship between birth parents, and "other." Sometimes similar information about other blood relatives will also be revealed if available.

The Confidential Intermediary Program of Connecticut.

Adoptees who are 18 and older and adult adoptable persons should request identifying information, in writing to the agency or department that has it. The agency will then conduct a search. If consents from BOTH parents are obtained, the information will be released. If the agency believes the information "would be seriously disruptive or danger the physical or emotional health" of the adoptee, counseling is required before the information is released.

When the agency or Department can't locate the person sought, the adult adoptee or the adoptable person should then petition the court for the release of identifying information. They must go for an interview to explain their reasons for requesting identifying information. The agency may speak to the merits of the adoptee's request. The Court will then decide whether or not to grant the petition.

If the Court denies the request for information, the Court will sometimes request the agency to contact the birth parent to give notice of the adoptee's request to the birth parent, without revealing the identity of the adoptee. The adoptee is then notified of the results.

The "adult adoptable person" may receive a copy of his or her original birth certificate from the Department of Health Services. For information about the reunion registry, contact: 


Department of Children and Youth Services, 
170 Sigourney Street, 
Hartford, Connecticut 06105. 
Telephone: (203) 566-8742. 

Each agency is required to maintain a registry in addition to the state registry

The 1997 edition of the CT General Statues includes an extensive section on the rights of birthparents and adult adoptees. They are ALL entitled by law to request and receive any non-id information that the state has. There are a few new provisions that even entitle you to request identifying info. They don't have to give you the identifying information but they do have sixty days in which to search for the information and either provide the information to you or give you written notice that they will not release the information. If they refuse you the information you can petition the probate court in which the adoption was finalized. If they won't tell you where it was finalized you can write the probate court administrator for the county and request that he/she review your case. So, for everyone looking in CT...you have rights!

Connecticut Links