[lookingfr fam]

this information has been posted before but is either lost in a non-related thread or listed with out a link. I have seen people search for years without knowing how simple it could have been. Good luck!



Tina's California Open Adoption Counties

If your Final adoption Decree (not the county where you were born, if different), was filed in one of the following counties, one or both of your a-parents can request a copy of the complete contents of your file, housed at the courthouse. This is identifying information.

These counties recognize the a-parents "as parties to the adoption", and therefore will allow an a-parents to view, or request by mail, all identifying information on file, of the original family, of their adopted child.


This does not apply to an adoptee born in an open county and adopted in a closed county. The Final Adoption Decree must have been filed in one of the following counties

the open counties are:
Alameda County
Contra Costa
Glenn County
Marin County
Napa County ??
Orange County
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
Shasta County
Sonoma County ??

[lookingfr fam]

just a bump

[Amyie]

I really think this post should be stickied or something. There are so many people that were adopted out of those counties that this could help if it doesn't get buried!

Great info! I only wish my husband was adopted in one of those counties

[lookingfr fam]

well if any one see's this buried somewhere other than the first page, feel free to bump it

as I just did.

just reply and say "bump"

Thanks

[Amyie]

bumping again

[adoptedin1979]

FYI: My husband was adopted in one of these so called "open counties." His a-mom followed procedure exactly as described and was denied access both by the clerk and supervisor. Their words were, "I don't know where you got your information but this information is only accessible by court order." When shown the printed page from their website that a-parents could get a copy of the file they explained that meant a copy of their part of the file, none of which has identifying information.

So be prepared if you got his route that the same old door could be slammed in your face.

[lookingfr fam]

interesting...what county was that?

There are a few questionable counties (listed with ???) but I do know quite a few people who have done this and it has worked with no problems

[RavenSong]

As a "party to the adoption", are birthmothers also allowed access to the adoption file? Or is it only adoptive parents?

[adoptedin1979]

It was Santa Clara County which hasn't been listed as questionable...

It made us feel like ------->