1、1 This report focuses on adult adoptees. The age of majority varies among the states. Moreover,some states allow minors to petition for access to their records with their adopted parentsconsent.2 Identifying information is data which may lead to positively identifying an adoptee, or birthparent. Suc
2、h data may include names, addresses and dates contained in court records or submittedto the State Department of Vital Statistics. 3 D.C. CODE ANN. 16.311. 4 LA. CIV. CODE ANN. art. 1186 - 1189, 1270. Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CR
3、S WebOrder Code RS21112January 22, 2002Access to Adoption Recordsname redactedLegislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryState laws regarding confidentiality of adoption records vary and there are nofederal regulations governing access to such records. States determine who is eligibleto adopt,
4、and who is eligible to be adopted. States also control the consequences ofadoption, including availability of any records. This report summarizes the variousapproaches states use to allow access to adoption records. When considering whether to allow access to adoption records, courts andlegislatures
