How Do You Open Closed Adoption Records Under The ICWA?
Native American children who are adopted because of abuse or neglect in their backgrounds have special rights under the Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA. To help these children preserve their cultural ties to their Native American ancestry and tribes, the ICWA addresses specific requirements that enable these goals. Because of the complexity of this issue and the sensitivity of the adoption, Native American adoptees and their families need to know they may not be successful in every case. Request a copy of the ICWA from your state senator. Familiarize yourself with this act–especially the sections pertaining to adoption and responsibility of the state court for finalizing the adoption. Before requesting access to your case file, know exactly what your rights are under the ICWA (see link in Resources). Study ICWA Public Law 95-608 (see link in Resources) and find out which state court was responsible for your adoption finalization. Keep your adoptive family informed of what you are do
