How to Keep Adoption Records Sealed

A closed adoption is often the best choice to protect the privacy of the birth mother, the adoptive parents, and the adopted child. Many adoptees and birth mothers would like to open their sealed adoption records--but there are many people who wish to protect their families and keep their personal lives private, and they have every right to do so. If you are involved in a closed adoption process, follow these steps to ensure the records stay sealed.

First, whether you are the birth mother or adoptive parent, perform the adoption process through a reputable agency that will protect your privacy. Make sure they are licensed and have a good track record. Hiring a family law attorney is worth the expense.

Make it clear to the adoption agency that privacy is of the utmost importance to you. That way, they can match you with a family or birth mother who shares your priorities. When both parties have the same goals of privacy, the adoption process is much smoother. If one party is presses for a more open process, there will be conflict down the road.

Ask your family law attorney about your state's laws on adoption records. Sealed adoption records can only be opened with a court order. Learn the grounds on which adoption records can be unsealed, and prepare yourself in case someone requests that they be opened. If you are uncomfortable with your state's laws, research adoption options out of state.

Make sure that there are no loose ends in the adoption process. For exampele, the birth father can try to claim the child if he was not informed by the biological mother. If you are the birth mother, you can take measures to protect your privacy from other parties. If you are an adoptive parent, you should carefully screen birth mothers to make sure that there are no relatives who may oppose or contest the adoption.

Keep in mind that when an adoptee turns 18, he or she can release contact info in case the birth mother should want to contact him or her. Likewise, a birth mother can release her contact info in case the adoptee should try to search for his or her birth mother. If both parties release their information, the adoption agency can help them reunite. However, if one party wishes to remain anonymous, the adoption agency cannot unseal the adoption records.