Why Petition The Court To Open Adoption Records?
Not all cases of adoption are open. Generally, the birth certificate and other pertinent adoption documents are sealed after adoption is finalized. They are not disclosed to any of the parties involved in the adoption. Petitioning the court to open adoption records is therefore necessary in order for the adoptee, adoptive or birth parents, adoption agency or their representative to gain access to these documents. Once the court has issued an order to open adoption records, the requesting party may now be able to use the information in the records in his search for the adopted child or the adoptive or birth family. The court however has the prerogative to decide whether to completely or partially open adoption records to the petitioner.
