According to an article on FindLaw, about 100 million Americans have an adoptee in their close family. One common concern among birth and adoptive parents in Florida is access to adoption records.

If you’re an adoptive parent, you may want to unlock Florida adoption records to get some details about your child. On the other hand, if you’re a birth parent, you may wonder if your biological child can later use these records to learn about their origin.

Understanding the Florida adoption process and its laws can give you more insight. Continue reading for detailed answers to the top questions about Florida adoption files.

Are Florida Adoption Records Sealed?

Yes. Authorities and agencies handling the adoption process in Florida seal the papers. Hence, documents like birth certificates and related court records will not be available to the public.

Sealing these records protects the privacy of everyone involved. However, you can access them under certain conditions with authorization.

Who Can Access Florida Adoption Records?

The following people can request adoption records based on Florida laws:

• Adoptees 18 years and older
• Birth parents
• Adoptive parents
• Biological siblings and grandparents

If your adopted child is at least 18 years old, they can access non-identifying information about their birth parents. Such may pertain to:

• Ethnicity
• Medical history
• Level of education

If you placed a child for adoption in Florida, you might not be able to access some information about them. For example, you can’t know if they were adopted into a single-parent or two-parent home.

The only way to get details about the adoptive family is if they consent. However, you may learn basic information about your child’s well-being and health through the agency.

If you adopt an infant in Florida, you can get medical and background information about the birth parents. Such details may be helpful if your child develops health issues and you need to know their family history. Still, you can’t get identifying information unless the birth parents agree to share it.

Biological siblings or grandparents of an adoptee can also access adoption records. However, they can only do so if they have permission from the adoptee or the birth parents.

How Can I Get Non-Identifying Information?

If you want to access non-identifying details about an adoption, you can explore the following options:

• Contact the adoption agency in Florida
• Check with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• Submit a request for the information

The adoption agency that handled your case will keep detailed records and may help you get the non-identifying information you need. Contact it and ask about the process of accessing adoption records. After reviewing your request, the agency may request proof of identity and send the details.

If the state handled your adoption, you can get non-identifying information by contacting Florida DCF. Visit the website or call the adoption records office, fill out a request form based on the information you need, and wait for a response.

Can My Adoptive Child Find Their Birth Parents in Florida?

Finding birth parents can be challenging for your child if you choose a closed adoption, but they can still do so using the following means:

• Approaching the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR)
• Hiring a confidential intermediary
• Petitioning the court

Florida uses FARR to reconnect adoptees and birth parents. If your adoptive child and their birth parents sign up, the state will match them and allow contact.

Still, your child won’t be able to find their birth parents through FARR if they aren’t registered. Besides, the registry won’t automatically release the records. Instead, it will only connect your child with their birth mother after mutual consent.

A confidential intermediary can access sealed adoption records and contact birth parents. They protect the privacy of both parties until they agree to connect.

Your child can hire a confidential intermediary through a Florida court or a private adoption agency. The expert will then review sealed adoption records and attempt to locate the birth parents. If they find them, they will ask for permission to share their contact details.

Adoptees searching for birth parents can also file a court petition to unseal adoption records. A judge will review your case and assess if there is a good reason to grant access. Common reasons they may allow it include medical emergencies and proof of mutual consent.

What Can I Do If My Child’s Birth Parents Don’t Want to Be Found?

Some birth parents choose a closed adoption to keep their identity private. It’s vital to respect their wishes since they may have personal reasons for not wanting contact.

Discuss such matters with your adoption agency in Florida for guidance on what to do in case your child has questions about their biological parents later.

They may recommend alternative ways of connecting your child with their biological family, such as:

• Collecting non-identifying information about the birth parents
• Asking the birth parent to write a letter for future contact
• Connecting with biological relatives

How Long Does an Adoption Records Search Take?

If you’re searching for Florida adoption records, the wait period will depend on what you need. Some files will be easier to access, while others may require court approval.

When looking for general details about birth parents, adoption agencies and government officials must review your request.

They will confirm you have the legal right to access the records before providing them. The process can take several months, depending on how busy the agency is and its approval process. You can speed up your request by providing the correct details and following up.

If you file a court petition requesting access to adoption records, the process will take longer due to court hearings.

Learn More about Florida Adoption Laws With Heart of Adoptions, Inc.

Searching for Florida adoption records may seem stressful, but there are legal ways to access them. Learn about the requirements for each process and the approval timeline to simplify your experience. Besides, seek support from an adoption agency in case your child wants to find their birth parents later.

Heart of Adoptions, Inc. is a licensed agency that helps create families through adoption. We believe in confidentiality, respect, and flexibility based on each family’s needs. Contact us for guidance on adoption.