New York Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in New York

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information : A person (adoptive adults) of age eighteen years or older may obtain non identifying information through the adoption registry.

• Identifying Information : Identifying information can be obtained through the adoption registry.

• Adoption Registry Use:
  Adopted adults age 18 or older, adaptive parents, birth parents, siblings of adopted adult may obtain information through adoptive registry. Minors required consent from adoptive parents. It requires no fee.

• Contact Information:
  Adoption Information Registry
  New York State Department of Health
  PO Box 2602 Albany, NY 12220-2602
  (518) 474-9600

• Birth Certificate (Original): To obtain certificate, an adoptee must requests the court in which the adoption was finalized.

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: Dom. Rel. Law - §- § 111; 113
  • If a child is conceived in wedlock, then both parents can consent to an adoption.
  • A person or agency having the custody of child can consent to an adoption.
  • An agency which has the custody and guardianship of the child, if parents of child are having the problems or they are deceased.

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee Consent :
  Statute: Dom. Rel. Law - § 111
  • A child of age 14 years or older must consent to the adoption.

• When Consent is not required :
  Statute: Dom. Rel. Law - § 111
  • If the parents has failed to communicate the child for six months
  • If the parents relinquished the child to an legal agency for adoption
  • If the parents has a problem like mental illness.
  • The parents does not require consent if their child has a guardian appointed by the court.

• Parental Consent can be executed :
  Statute: None.

• Consent Revocation:
  Statute: Dom. Rel. - § 115-b
  • Consent is irrevocable.
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