Finding adoption records in Delaware may lead to finding a birth mother.
Delaware allows all adopted persons who have reached the age of 21 to request information from their adoption record. In addition, other parties of the adoption, such as birth families and adoptive parents may request non-identifying information, including the date and time of birth, birth parent race and age at time of birth, religion and the reason for adoption. Requesting identifying information from a sealed adoption record is not a guarantee of release in Delaware as the birth parents must not have signed a declaration of non-release, forbidding the release of the adoption records.
Instructions
1. Find out about the adoption. Talk to your adoptive parents about any information they have about the adoption. Determine the agency that assisted with the adoption and the county and city in Delaware where the adoption took place.
2. Request non-identifying information. Non-identifying information from your adoption record is released upon request through the agency that assisted with the adoption. As each agency's policy varies, contact the agency that was a part of your adoption for information on request the information.
3. File an application for your original birth certificate. Delaware's Office of Vital Statistics allows adopted persons to request a copy of their original birth certificate by completing the "Adoptee's Application for Copy of Original Birth Certificate," that is available on its website. You must provide your name after adoption, your adoptive parents' names and, if possible, your name prior to adoption and the names of your birth parent. You must also provide photo identification with the application to ensure that you are the adopted person. If your original birth certificate is located and your birth parents have not denied its release, the state will issue you a copy.
4. Ask for assistance in locating birth relatives. Before identifying information is released from Delaware adoption records, you must ensure that all persons involved in the records release agree to the process. Work with your adoption agency and request that it searches for your birth relatives to advise them of their right to make a no contact declaration. If the adoption agency worker contacts your family member and non-declaration is issued, you will be given contact information for that birth family member.
5. Petition the court for the release of your records. If you are unable to find information from your adoption record through other methods, you may request that the court that handled your adoption release information from your sealed record. The Child Welfare Information Gateway website notes that Delaware courts typically only release health information from the record, and only in cases where the release may be of assistance. However, each local court has its own procedure for petitioning for your adoption records. Locate and contact the court that handled your adoption for its requirements.
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