Access to Adoption Records for More Coloradan Adoptees

Colorado made adoption records open back in 1999, but more recently adoptions finalized between July 1951 and July 1967 are becoming open as well. The decision to open these records was made by the Colorado Court of Appeals in April. Now adoptees can have access to all court records and adoption papers related to their adoption.

The State of Colorado does require that the adoptions between 1967 and 1999 remain sealed. If the adoptee wants to try to get access, it will require a court order or a court-appointed third party. There seems to still be a belief that opening up adoption records means breaking the confidentiality of birth parents and even siblings.

If you would like help locating your birth family, especially once you have a name in hand, please check out the adoption search angels here on About.com that are willing and ready to assist you with a search.

SOURCE:
Ruling opens up doors to past - KUSA*TV

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• The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Explores Opening Adoption Records
• Open Records vs. Birth Mother Protection
• The Charter of Adoptee Rights: Tools for Open Records Activism