[mrsg7176]

Has anyone filed a petition to a county court for release of non-identifying information? If so, could anyone give me guidance on how to go about this process? I would like to do so without hiring an attorney.Also, has anyone had any luck receiving this information from the court?Thank you in advance!!!

[adoptionsearchblog2]

Did you mean to petition the court for "identifying" information? You do not need to petition for non-identifying info usually.
West Virginia Searching Resources
This link might help you.

[heartbeat]

I have, mrsg. I would guess that there may be specifics which vary from state to state, but I just called whatever state dept that handles that - I think in my case it was Department of Health, Child Protection. They told me what needed to be done and sent me the petition to fill in. I got it notarized and sent it back with the required letter stating why I wanted my records, and that was pretty much that. There's hardly anything to write on the petition - off the top of your head types of things, like adoptive parents names, etc.

Mine was a relatively low-population state and took less than a month, start to finish.

Wishing you the best!

heartbeat

[mrsg7176]

Thanks for your reply. Mine was a private adoption so the DHHR does not have my records. They are held by the County Court. I must petition the court for any records as it was a sealed adoption. If I petition for identifying info - I must have a very good reason and even then it may very well be denied. I have read it is much easier and safe to ask for non-identifying info and continue search from that point!

I was hoping someone had filed for this info in WV and could tell me how receptive the court is, and if I could type out the petition on my own. Thanks!!

[heartbeat]

Hi mrsg,

Yes, my post was referring to sealed records, as mine were. The govt office that I called told me the same thing about having good reason - of course, the definition and acceptability of 'good cause' can vary from judge to judge. That office sent me the petition. I seriously doubt they would accept one you typed since it's an official govt. document which you fill out, sign in front of a notary, and send back to the office that sent it to you. The letter they required was a separate, typed letter that I wrote.

heartbeat

[1wildflower]

Hello ~ I'm from WV, my records are also sealed. I sent in the appropriate form, notarized, along with copy of Drivers license and BC, - and was rejected. However it is my understanding that we are supposed to be able to receive that information.

The site I used to get started is: Adoption Records Handbook | Legal Forms | Birth Family Search | Find Missing Persons there you will find forms, instructions and other information. This helped me get started, but I now I feel I am at a dead end, unless I want to petition the court. Not sure I want to go through all of that ~ really just want some basic information about my heritage.

I hope you have better luck than I did. Please let me know how it goes.