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GEORGIA Law/Reform Under Georgia Law, an adult adoptee (age 21), or the adoptive parents of an adoptee under the age of twenty-one may obtain non-identifying information which is defined to include the date and place of birth of the adopted person, and the genetic, social and health history of the adoptive parents. Identifying information -- which is defined as the person's name -- is available to an adult adoptee (age 21) if an unrevoked written permission to reveal the information appears in the Adoptee's file. The Department of Social Services or placement agency must "verify" this permission before acting. If no such permission is in the file, an adult adoptee may ask the Department or agency to notify each parent listed on the original birth certificate of the Adoptee's request for such information. "Notify" is defined to mean personal contact by a department employee. The birth parent is then given the opportunity to consent to the release of identifying information, or decline such consent. If the Department is unable after six months of diligent effort to find the original parents, the adoptee may petition the Court for release of identifying information. Permission will be granted if the court finds that the Department or agency made a diligent search, and further finds that failure to release the identity of each biological parent would have an adverse impact upon the physical, mental or emotional health of the adopted person. Georgia Links
1997Georgia House Bill
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