CONNECTICUT
UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO OBC FOR THOSE BORN ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1983
DENIES UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THOSE BORN BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1983 (Court order required)

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Who May Access Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-746

Non-identifying information is available to the following persons:

•The adult adopted person

•The adoptive parents or guardian of the child

•The legal representative of the adopted person

•If the adopted person is deceased, any adult descendants, including adopted descendants

 

Identifying information may be accessed by:

•The adult adopted person

•Any birth parent of the adult adopted person, including any person claiming to be the father who was not a party to the proceedings for the termination of parental rights

•Any adult birth sibling of the adult adopted person

•If the adopted person is deceased, any adult descendants, including legally adopted descendants

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Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 7-53

Upon request, the Department of Public Health shall issue an uncertified copy of an original certificate of birth to:

•An adopted person who is age 18 or older whose adoption was finalized on or after October 1, 1983

•An adopted person’s adult child or grandchild

The certificate shall be marked with a notation by the issuer that the original certificate of birth has been superseded by a replacement certificate of birth as on file. Additionally, a notice shall be printed on such certificate or attached thereto stating that information related to the birth parents’ preferences regarding contact by the adopted person or the adopted person’s adult child or grandchild and a medical health history form completed by the birth parent may be on file with the Department of Children and Families.

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Access to Non-identifying Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-746

Non-identifying information about the birth parents shall be provided in writing to the adopting parents prior to finalization of the adoption.  The birth parents may access the information at any time for the purposes of verifying, correcting, or adding information.  Information about the birth parents includes, but is not limited to:

•Age at the time of the child’s birth

•Ethnic background and nationality

•General physical appearance at the time of the child’s birth

•Education and occupations of the birth parents

•Talents, hobbies, and special interests

•Existence of any other children born to either parent

•Health history of the birth parents and blood relatives

•Reasons for placing the child for adoption

•Religion of the birth parents

•Any other relevant non-identifying information

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Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-751

Any authorized applicant may, by applying in person or in writing to the child-placing agency or the department, request the release of identifying information. The information should be released unless:

•The consents of every person whose identity is sought, as required by § 45a-751b, are not given.

•The release of the requested information would seriously disrupt or endanger the physical or emotional health of the applicant or the person whose identity is being requested.

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Where the Information Can Be Located

•Connecticut Department of Children and Families

•The department and each child-placing agency involved in the adoption

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FIND YOUR BIRTH PARENTS