Georgia State Regulations - Access to Adoption Records
Adopted adults age 18 or older and adoptive parents of an adoptee younger than 18 can obtain information.
Obtaining Identifying Information:
An adopted adult (age 21 and over) can receive information if the birth parents have filed a consent. If no consent is on file, an intermediary will search for the birth parents to see if the birth parents will file a consent for release of information. If the birth parents are not located, the adopted adult can then file a petition to release the information on the birth parents.
Birth parents of an adoptee 21 or older may also initiate a search. If a birth parent wishes to initiate contact of their adopted 'child', who is now 21 or older, the department is required to attempt a search for the adoptee. If found and contacted, and the adoptee agrees to receiving the identifying information offered by the birth parent, it shall be passed onto them. Likewise, they would also be required to give additional consent to any contact through the department.
If the adoptee is deceased and leaves a child, such child, upon reaching 21 years of age, may seek the name and other identifying information concerning his or her grandparents "in the same manner as the deceased adopted person", subject to the same procedures that would have applied to the adoptee.
Using the Adoption Registry:
The following persons may register: adopted adults 21 or older, adoptive parents of an adoptee younger than 21, birth parents of an adoptee 21 or older, and birth siblings.
Contact:
Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry
Families First/Office of Adoptions
2 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Suite # 323
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(404) 657-3555
(888) 328-0055
Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:
An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.
Emergency Situations:
In emergency medical situations, the Office of Adoptions or the agency may release requested medical information to parties of interest in the adoption, without having to go to court first to obtain permission to access its own records for the information.
Submitting Medical Information:
Anyone having documented medical information relevant to an adoptee may submit that information to the Office of Adoptions or child-placing agency. Upon receipt, the Office of Adoptions or the agency "shall use reasonable efforts" to "contact" the adoptive parents of the adoptee, or the adoptee if he or she is 18 years of age or older and provide such documented medical information to the adoptive parents or the adoptee. There will be a reimbursement of the "reasonable costs" associated with this, paid by the submitting party, but those costs have been defined as only the postage and photocopying incurred in the delivery of the documents and not for the attempt to contact.
More details of the newest laws in GA which went into effect on July 1, 2003.
Search Resources for this State
Sources: EAGLE for Georgians and National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. Reprinted with permission.
