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***FLORIDA Adoption records are sealed and may be opened only upon *order of the court*. However, FL Statute 63.162 Non-Identifying Informationmandates that agencies provide non identifying information to adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents of minors. Let the agency know that you are aware of this law. The information will not give you names, addresses or any other information that might be considered "identifying." Adoptees should ask about birth parents nationality, ages at time of birth, education, hobbies, medical history, professions and anything else that may be important to you and your situation. Ask for the "relinquishment date", the case number and the finalization of adoption date and court. *You can petition the court that handled your Final Adoption for a court order to un-seal your adoption records. In some counties, this is a simple matter of writing a letter of request to the court and in Dade County Florida, did not cost any money. However it has been very difficult to get them opened, but the judge will take into consideration any serious medical concerns if you can get your doctor to document them in a letter enclosed with your petition. Under the Sunshine Law, hospitals are mandated to release all records to a patient. A birth mother should have no problem getting her records, however, the records for an adoptee must be requested in the birth name only. Don't mention adoption to the hospital, or they will insist on a court order before giving you the records. Some hospitals will tell you they no longer have your records for one reason or another, don't accept this from a clerk, ask to speak with someone in administration. Many of you have asked about Florida Birth Indexes. Florida does not have "Birth Indexes" at least none that are open to the public. Florida record books are called: Docket Books, which describe events from the date of petition to the date of adoption finalization. They include the agency and/or attorney of record. Your birth name will not be listed. Sometime, a birth relative may be listed. This book includes the Chancery Order Book number and the page where the birth name and birth parents are listed and are rarely in the public domain. The Adoption Book, lists all of the information and is NEVER in the public domain. The Civil Index lists adoptive parents names. Some young women went to Florida to deliver their babies and then "went home". Some of these babies were adopted out of state and many to families in NY. Adoptees born in Florida and adopted in another state can sometimes get the same information by contacting HRS at the FARR address. But before contacting FARR, write to HRS (at the address below) for your birth certificate as some out of state adoptees have not had their birth certificates sealed. If you were adopted in NY, try the information here: Vital Records Information/NY & NY.Birth Index & Information. Also check out: Sylvia's NY Adoption Page Check out adoption laws at: ADOPTION LAW LIBRARY Check out adoptees rights at: ADOPTEE RIGHTS ~Bastard Nation Check out the adoption laws of florida at: FLORIDA ADOPTION LAWS Where to Write For Vital Records Other government information can be found at: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT & STATE LAW: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT |