Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:
Non-identifying information is available to birth parents, adopted adults age 19 or older, and adoptive parents.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

If either birth parent has given consent under oath to disclose identifying information, then an adopted adult age 19 or older can receive identifying information along with a copy of the original birth certificate relating to the consenting birth parent. If no consent is on file, an adopted adult age 19 or older may petition the court to release identifying information. The court will then hire a confidential intermediary to contact the birth parents for consent. If the birth parents are deceased, cannot be found, or do not consent, the court will decide whether to release identifying information. The court may decide to grant consent to the petition to release identifying information but include a provision to restrict or prohibit contact between the parties.

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:
An adult age 19 or older who was adopted in Alabama and has a sealed original birth certificate on file at the Center for Health Statistics may obtain a non-certified copy of that certificate as well as the other documents maintained with the original record.

Contact:
The State Department of Human Resources or the licensed child placing agency.

For More Information:
Alabama's Open Records

Search Resources for this State

Source: National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. Reprinted with permission.

Related Topics

Birth Certificate
Original Birth Certificate
Birth
Identifying Information

Birth Parents
Consent
Parents
Non-identifying Information