District of Columbia Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in District of Columbia

How to access adoption records?

• Obtain non identifying information:

  There is no any such provision made for getting the information from the files. All adoption records are sealed and can not be opened without petitioning the court with a good cause.

• Obtain an original birth certificate:

  Any adult who is adopted must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.

Advertising used and facilitators in adoptive placements

• Advertisement used : Statute: Title 13, - § 930

  • It is not addressed in statutes reviewed in District of Columbia.

• Intermediaries or facilitators use : Statute: - § 4-1405(a)

  • No any other person than the parent, relative or guardian and no firm, association, or agency except the licensed child placing agency may place or arrange or help in placing or help by arranging for the placement of a child under the age of 16 years in a family or for the adoption.