What are the laws regarding adoption records?

In Oklahoma, adoption records are kept confidential by law. The Oklahoma Open Records Act protects all adoption records from the public, but those involved in the adoption may gain access to the records. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is the custodian of adoption records and only allows access to certain individuals. The birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptee may apply for access to adoption records, as can the adoptive parents’ legal representative, the adult adoptee’s legal representative, the spouse of the adoptee, and the adoptee’s child. To gain access to adoption records, the birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptee must provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Additionally, they must submit a notarized written request for the adoption records. They must also submit a signed and notarized affidavit attesting that they understand the confidentiality of the record and will not divulge it to any other party without authorization. The affidavit must also provide a detailed explanation of the requestor’s purpose for seeking the record. If the request is approved, the parties will receive a copy of the adoption declaration and/or court order, and/or the adoptee’s original birth and medical records, as well as copies of any other documents that were filed with the Court. In certain cases, the parties may also be granted access to the Social History which contains information about the birth family’s history.

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What are the laws regarding adoption records?

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