What are the laws regarding adoption records?

In California, adoption records are confidential and can only be accessed by certain individuals. In general, adoption records are confidential and are not available to the public. California laws require that sealed adoption records remain confidential and only be opened by court order. The birth parent and adult adoptee may be able to access their adoption records. A court may order the release of an adoption record to a birth parent, adult adoptee, the adopting parent, or an attorney for any of these individuals. The court will consider the reasons for the request and may consider potential harm to the parties involved. In some cases, a birth parent may be able to access their adoption records by filing a petition with the court. The adult adoptee may also petition the court to access their adoption records if they are 18 or older. In addition, California law allows a birth parents or adult adoptees to file a contact preference form with the court. This form will provide instructions on how the birth parent or adult adoptee would like to be contacted and may include additional information. The contact preference form will remain confidential, and only the birth parent or adult adoptee may access it. Overall, California adoption records are confidential and can only be accessed by certain individuals, usually the birth parents and adult adoptees. In order to access adoption records, the birth parent or adult adoptee must file a petition with the court and can also file a contact preference form to provide instructions on how they would like to be contacted.

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What are the laws regarding adoption records?

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