Florida Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in Florida

How to access adoption records?

• Obtain non identifying information:

  Non identifying information is available to any of the adopted adults of age 18 or more than it and the adoptive parents.

• Obtaining Identifying Information:

  Birth parents may obtain the information on adopted adults of 21 years or more if the adopted adult or birth parents have submitted the written consent to disclosure.

  Adopted adults of 18 years or more or adoptive parents may receive information regarding the birth parents if the birth parents have submitted a written consent to disclosure.

• Obtain the original birth certificate:

  Adoptee have to petition the court in where the adoption was finalized.

  Contact:

  If the adoption was facilitated independently or through the State welfare department then to get the non identifying information, one can contact the 'Department of Children and Families Post Adoption Services, Unit 1317, Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0700'. If the agency facilitated the adoption, contact it for non identifying information.

• Use of Adoption Registry:

  An adopted adults, biological siblings, birth parents, adoptive parents, and biological grandparents, any of these may consent to have information released.

  Upon petition of adopted adult for good cause shown, court may open the adoption records or hire intermediary to locate and advise birth parent of the registry, if it is not registered.

• Contact: Florida Adoption Reunion Registry
  Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services
  2811-E Industrial Plaza Drive
  Tallahassee, FL 32301
  (850) 353-0679
  (800) 962-3678

  Web site: www.adoptflorida.com/Reunion-Registry.htm

Advertising used and facilitators in adoptive placements

• Advertisement used : Statute: - § 63.212(1)(g)

  • It is not by law for a person to publish advertisement without including a Florida license number of the agency or attorney placing the advertisement.

  • Except adoption entity it is not by law for anyone to advertise in any way, by medium whatever, that a minor is available for adoption.

• Intermediaries or facilitators use : Statute: - §- § 63.032; 63.039; 63.085

  • Intermediary is an attorney, acting as the adoption entity, who places a child for adoption. It has following affirmative duties to do:
    1. May serve notices of hearings
    2. May report court about all paid expenses
    3. May obtain necessary consents
    4. May file necessary affidavits and petitions
    5. Make a full disclosure of all State law requirements for adoption