Tina's Arizona Information Page

ARIZONA ON LINE LINKS

Dept. of Vital Statistics
Vital Records Section
Arizona Department of Health Services
P.O. Box 3887
Phoenix, AZ 85030
To verify current fees, the telephone number is
(602) 255-3260
This will be a recorded message


Search Triad, Inc.
PO Box 10181
Phoenix, Arizona
85064-0181
Telephone: 602-834-7417
Profile: Search Triad, Inc. was founded in 1976 and has assisted with more than 750 reunions. It is an independent, all volunteer, non-profit, search and support group. As a member of the American Adoption Congress, their aim is to promote openess, honesty and sound practices in adoption.


Overview of Arizona Adoption Law
Under the laws of Arizona, adoptions records are confidential. Access is only available by court order to persons demonstrating a "legitimate interest." Non-identifying information may be obtained by an adult adoptee, adoptive parent or birth parent from the court, agency, or person involved in filing the adoption proceedings.
UPDATE: confidential intermediary system now in place. For information about the AZ CI system visit Arizona's Assistance for Adoptive and Birth Families Page. Confidential Intermediaries

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information: Non-identifying information is available to adoptive parents or a child's guardian, adopted adults age 18 or older, an adopted adult's spouse, birth parents, birth siblings, and-if an adopted adult is deceased-his or her adult children (age 18 or older).

Obtaining Identifying Information: An adopted adult age 21 or older or a birth parent can provide a notarized statement granting consent or withholding consent to the release of information. If consent is given, then the information will be given to the requesting party. Any party may try to obtain identifying information by petitioning the court for compelling need.

Using a Confidential Intermediary: The following parties may use the services of a confidential intermediary: Birth siblings age 21 or older; adoptive parents or legal guardians of adopted adults age 18 or older; adopted adults age 21 or older; the immediate, adult relatives (age 21 or older) of a deceased adopted adult; birth parents; or birth grandparents if birth parents are deceased. A confidential intermediary must obtain written consent from both parties before releasing information. Adoptive parents may file an affidavit that prohibits the confidential intermediary from contacting the adopted adult unless the adoptive parents remove the affidavit or the adopted adult files an affidavit stating that he or she knows he or she is adopted and wishes to make contact with the birth parents. Birth parents can file an affidavit prohibiting contact with birth siblings.

Contact:
Arizona Confidential Intermediary Program
Arizona Supreme Court
Attn: Torin Scott
1501 W. Washington
Phoenix AZ 85007
(602) 542-9586 or (602) 542-9580
Website

Providing Information: Supplemental information may be placed in the file by any of the following parties: birth parents, adopted adult, adoptive parents, or family of the adopted adult.

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.

Contact: The Arizona Supreme Court

This material may be reproduced and distributed without permission; however, appropriate citation must be given to the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Citation: Arizona Revised Statutes, Chapter 1, Article 1, Sections 8-101 to 8-135; 8-141 to 8-145; 8-161 to 8-166; 8-171 to 8-173

Web Site: http://www.azleg.state.az.us

Contact: Chief Clerk of the House (602) 542-3032
Contact: State Senate Resource Center (602) 542-3350