| Ohio Adoption Laws page #8 of 9 |
Impact of New Law on Adoptions Finalized Between 1-1-1964 – 9-18-1996
Senate bill 23 modified the law governing records of adoption that were finalized between 1-1-1964, and 9-18-1996. The bill was signed into law on 12-19-2013. At this time, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is modifying our adoption registry system to come into compliance with this legal change.
Until 3-20-2014, the biological parent or sibling can still file an authorization form that gives permission for his or her identity to be released to the adoptee. If the adoptive person requests a copy of his/her adoption information, then filed release information will be provided to the adoptive person. If a Withdrawal of Authorization for Release form is filed by a biological parent or sibling before 3-20-2014, the previously filed release information will not be shared.
Until 3-20-2014, the biological parent or sibling can still file an authorization form that gives permission for his or her identity to be released to the adoptee. If the adoptive person requests a copy of his/her adoption information, then filed release information will be provided to the adoptive person. If a Withdrawal of Authorization for Release form is filed by a biological parent or sibling before 3-20-2014, the previously filed release information will not be shared.
Please click here to obtain the Birth Parent Information Packet along with instructions to complete the forms.
On 3-20-2014, ODH will replace the authorization form with a redaction request form for biological parents. Biological parents who wish to redact their name from any future adoption file release may sign and submit this form between 3-20-2014 and 3-20-2015. Redaction requests must be submitted using this official government form, which will be made available by 3-20-2014. Biological parents may submit the redaction request until 3-20-2015. Please note if a redaction request form is submitted by a biological parent they must also submit an updated social and medical history form in order for the redaction request to be accepted.
Starting 3-20-2015, adult adoptees adopted in the relevant years may submit an application to ODH for a copy of their adoption file. The requesting adoptee must be at least 18 years old. The adult lineal descendants of the adoptee may also submit an application for a copy of the adoption file. An adoption file usually contains the original birth certificate and a court order decree of the adoption. It may also include biological parent release forms and/or biological sibling release forms that were submitted to ODH before 3-20-2014. The biological parent and/or sibling release forms are not required before the adoption file can be opened. ODH cannot add other types of correspondence, such as letters or photos, to the sealed adoption file. Any additional materials will be returned to the sender. Requests for a copy of the sealed adoption file may not be submitted until 3-20-2015.
Also effective starting 3-20-2015, the adopted name may be released to a biological parent or sibling upon receipt of a signed application.
• Application for Release of Adopted Name - Biological Parent or Sibling
Should you have a question about these forms or this topic, please call our customer service team at (614) 466-2531.
Updated: 1-23-2014
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Ohio
Who May Access Information
Citation: Rev. Code §§ 3107.66; 3107.47; 3107.49
Nonidentifying information is available to:
• An adopted person who is age 18 or older.
• An adoptive parent of a minor adopted person.
• An adoptive family member of a deceased adopted person.
• A birth parent or adult birth sibling.
• A birth family member if the birth parent is deceased.
Identifying information is accessible to:
• An adopted person who is age 21 or older.
• An adoptive parent of an adopted person who is older than 18 but under age 21.
• The birth parent or adult birth sibling (to the adopted person’s name by adoption only).
Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Rev. Code § 3107.66
Any of the above persons may submit a written request to the agency or attorney who arranged the adoption, or the court that finalized the adoption, for release of nonidentifying information. Access to Adoption Records: Summary of State Laws www.childwelfare.gov
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Rev. Code §§ 3107.47; 3107.49
The adopted adult person or adoptive parent may submit a request to the department of health for a copy of the adopted person’s adoption file. If there is not an effective denial of release form for either birth parent on file, the department shall release a copy of the file. If there is an effective denial of release form for each birth parent on file, the request will be denied. If there is an effective denial of release form for only one of the birth parents on file, the department will release the file with all identifying information about the birth parent for whom there is an effective denial of release form deleted. If an adopted person or adoptive parent is denied a copy of the contents of the adopted person’s adoption file or receives a copy of the contents with identifying information about one of the birth parents deleted, the department of health shall inform the adopted person or adoptive parent that it will notify them if the department later receives an authorization of release form from one or both birth parents. A birth parent or adult birth sibling may submit a request for assistance in finding an adopted person’s name by adoption. The department may release the adopted person’s name by adoption if:
• The adopted person’s adoption file contains a request from the adopted person that permits release of the information.
• The birth parent’s parental rights concerning the adopted person were not involuntarily terminated.
• The request is in writing, with a notarized signature, and includes identification of the birth parent or birth sibling.
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Rev. Code § 3705.12
• The original birth record shall be placed in an adoption file and sealed. The contents of the file shall not be open to inspection, except as follows:
• The department shall make the file’s contents available to an adopted person or adoptive parent in accordance with §3107.47.
• The department shall inspect the file to assist a birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person’s name by adoption in accordance with § 3107.49.
• The court that decreed the adoption may order that the contents be made open for inspection or available for copying.
Where the Information Can Be Located:
Ohio Adoption Registry
Ohio Vital Records Information
This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information
Gateway. Available online at www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/infoaccessap.cfm.
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| Obtaining An Original Birth Certificate: |
An adopted adult can receive birth certificate through the Ohio Department of Health, if the adoption was finalized before 1-1-1964. Unless a copy of the *book document* is requested you will receive only a computer generated abstract of birth and death certificates as well as marriage and divorce documents. These computer generated documents will *not *include all the information that the book document does. The cost, reportedly is the same. Note that this procedure pertains to *all* documents requested for any reason. Documents in the Adoption Envelope usually include a copy of the OBC and the adoption decree. Complete an Affidavit of Adoption and send in $20. The Affidavit should be sent to: Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics 35 East Chestnut Street P. O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 Attn: Special Registrations Affidavit Click Here Or obtain a copy from the Dept. of Health/Vital Statistics. Adoptions Finalized Prior to 1-1-1964 Adoption Records Open to Adopted Person with Proper ID http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoptpri.aspx Affidavit of Adopted Person Form HEA #3011 May receive copies of the contents of their adoption file. Adoption before 1-1-1964 Notarized affidavit Two pieces of identification (if name change or marriage, need to show linkage) $20 Fee To request a form by telephone or mail a request: Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics P.O. 118 Columbus, Ohio 43216-0118 Telephone: (614) 466-4784
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To Whom It May Concern:
My name is (your name in full). I was born on (day, month, year) in (city, county and state). I was adopted at birth by (amom's name, including her maiden name), and (adad's full name) of (city, county, state; where aparents lived at time of adoption). My adoption was finalized in (county) and was handled by (agency or attorney).
Ohio Revised Code § 3107.66 states that I am entitled to non-indentifying information (An adopted person age eighteen or older may submit a written request to the probate court that finalized the adopted person's adoption, for the court to provide the adopted person, information about the adopted person's birth parent or birth sibling contained in the court's adoption records that is non-identifying information. section, The court shall provide the adopted person the information sought within a reasonable amount of time. )
I am therefore respectively requesting the following non- id information:
Regarding my natural birth mother:
1. Age and Date of Birth
2. Name at time of my Birth
3. Height
4. Weight
5. Hair color
6. Eye color
7. Education
8. Religious background
9. Socio-Economic background
10. Ethnic origins
11. Number and ages of siblings that she had. If any deceased, age, and cause? Were any married? If so, where. Any children?
12. Where she was born
13. Where she lived at the time of my Birth ( city, county and state)
14. Marital Status/prior marriages
15. Her Parents ages and place of birth. If parents were immigrants, from where, and when? If deceased, age and cause?
16. Her parents educational backgrounds
17. Her parents physical descriptions
18. Her parents professions
19. Military background for mother or her parents
20. Birth mother's situation at pregnancy, relationship status with supposed birth father, and reason for relinquishment?
21. How did birth mother support herself during pregnancy?
22. Did birth mother reside in maternity home? If so, please list which home.
23. Were her parents or siblings aware of pregnancy? Were they supportive?
24. Has birthmother left any personal letters, pictures, or mementos’ in my file? If so, may I have them?
25. Has birthmother made any contact or updated a medical history for herself, and her family?
Any and all other non-identifying information
Regarding my natural father:
1. Age and Date of Birth
2. Name at time of my Birth
3. Height
4. Weight
5. Hair color
6. Eye color
7. Education
8. Religious background
9. Socio-Economic background
10. Ethnic origins
11. Number and ages of siblings that he had. If any deceased, age, and cause? Were any married? If so, where. Any children?
12. Where he was born
13. Where he lived at the time of my Birth ( city, county and state)
14. Marital Status/prior marriages
15. His Parents ages and place of birth. If parents were immigrants, from where, and when? If deceased, age and cause?
16. His parents educational backgrounds
17. His parents physical descriptions
18. His parents professions
19. Military background for father and his parents
20. Was birth father aware of pregnancy?
21. Were his parents or siblings aware of pregnancy? Were they supportive?
22. Has father left any persona l letters, pictures, or momento's in my file? If so, may I have them?
23. Has father made any contact or updated a medical history for himself, and his family?
Any and all other non-identifying information
Also, pursuant to Ohio Law, I hereby request that the court examine my file for the purpose of determining whether or not my natural mother and/or father placed on file with the court of the Department of Health, a consent form granting permission for the court or the department to disclose the information contained in my original birth certificate or any other information pertaining to my natural mother and/or father.
Best Regards,
(your name)
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