California: Access to OBCs and Non-ID
CALIFORNIA
DENIES UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO OBC (Court order required)
Who May Access Information
Citation: Fam. Code § 9202; 9203
Non-identifying information is available to:
•The adopted person who is age 18 or older
•The adoptive parent of an adopted person who is under age 18
Identifying information is available to:
•The adopted person who is age 21 or older
•The birth parent of an adult adopted person
•The adoptive parent of an adopted person who is under age 21
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Health & Safety Code § 102705
The original birth certificate is available only by order of the court.
Access to Non-identifying Information
Citation: Fam. Code §§ 8706; 8817; 9202
Non-identifying information about the birth parents and adopted person, such as medical history, scholastic information, psychological evaluations, and developmental history, is provided to the adopting parents. The department or licensed adoption agency shall provide a copy of the medical report, in the manner the department prescribes by regulation, to any of the following persons upon the person’s request:
•A person who has been adopted who is at least age 18 or presents a certified copy of the person’s marriage certificate
•The adoptive parent of a person under age 18
A person who is denied access to a medical report may petition the court for review of the reasonableness of the department’s or licensed adoption agency’s decision.
The names and addresses of any persons contained in the report shall be removed unless the person requesting the report has previously received the information.
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Fam. Code §§ 9201; 9203; 9205; 9206
The adopted person who is 21 or older may request the release of the identity of his or her birth parents and their most current address shown in the records of the department or licensed adoption agency if the birth parent or parents have indicated consent to the disclosure in writing.
The birth parent may request disclosure of the name and most current address of the adopted person if the adopted person is age 21 or older and has indicated in writing that he or she wishes his or her name and address to be disclosed.
The adoptive parent of an adopted person under age 21 may request disclosure of the identity of a birth parent and the birth parent’s most current address shown in the records if the department or licensed adoption agency finds that a medical necessity or other extraordinary circumstances justify the disclosure.
If an adult adopted person and the birth parents have each filed a written consent with the department or licensed adoption agency, the department or agency may arrange for contact between those persons.
Information about a birth sibling may be released to another sibling provided both are age 21 or older and have provided a written waiver.
Photos, letters, and other personal property may be released upon request if the adopted person is age 18 or older and other conditions have been met.
Where the Information Can Be Located
•California Department of Social Services
•The licensed agency involved in the adoption