[Nicole28]

I have a few questions for social workers & other professionals working in the adoption field. (My answers will help me write a paper for my English 1200 college course.) THANKS!

1. The Uniform Adoption Act apparently makes searching a criminal offense in all sealed records states. Is this true, and if so, how often is it enforced? What is the penalty for searching?


2. What information do Original Birth Certificates contain?


3. What is included in the file that is sealed for 99 years in all closed record states? (I am assuming OBC, medical records, but what else?)


4. On the court documents necessary to petition the unsealing of records, it asks for the details about either the petititioner's medical emergency OR another legitimate reason for unsealing records. What qualifies as a legitimate reason?


5. How many people successfully unseal their records yearly in sealed record states?


6. Do adoption agencies offer birthmoms the option of signing a 'consent to contact' form?


7. If so, what does the 'consent to contact' form look like? What does a birthmothers surrender look like?