How Do You Open Adoption Records In California?
California is a closed adoption state (with a few exceptions) and adoption records with identifying information can only be shared by consent of all the parties involved or at the discretion of a Superior Court judge. There are two ways this can happen by consent: through the Mutual Consent Program or the Adoptions Information Act. Under the MCP, written notarized consent is required of both the adoptee (who must be 18 years or older) and the birth parents. Under the AIA an adoptee who is 21 years or older and who was adopted on or after January 1, 1984, can request records if at the time of adoption the birth parents signed a consent form or parental rights were terminated by court order. Contact the California Department of Social Services or the adoption agency (if known) if you require non-identifying information such as general facts about the birth parents, background information and medical history. To receive this information you need to make a written request to the CDSS or th
