If you were born in OH you may be able to access copies of certain documents in your adoption file. To be specific, section 3107.38 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that an adopted person whose birth occurred in OH and whose adoption was finalized prior to January 1, 1964 may request in writing to receive copies of the contents of an adoption file.

In order to request these documents you must complete a form called “affidavit for adopted person”. This form can be obtained at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoptpri.aspx In addition, two forms of identification and a $20 fee that became effective October 25, 1996 is required to be attached to the request. This fee should be made payable to Treasury, State of OH. The form also must be notarized.

The forms of ID that will be accepted by the Ohio Vital Statistics include but are not limited to a motor vehicle operator’s license or chauffeur’s license, identification card, marriage record which provides linkage between the maiden name and married name, social security card, credit card, military identification card, or employee’s identification card.

If your adoption was finalized between January 1, 1964 and September 18, 1996 the adoption records are sealed and only opened by a court order.

If the adoptee is 21 years of age or older and adopted between these years you can petition the court that granted the adoption to request Vital Statistics to search for releases received from the natural parent(s). If a release is found, a notice is given to the court to release the adoption record.

In Ohio the adoptions that have taken place after September 18, 1996 the adoption records are open if the adoptee is between 18-21 years of age. The adoption records may be opened if an authorization is on file by the natural parents and the adoptee is older than 21 or by the adoptive parent if the adoptee is between 18-21 years old. In addition, the adoptee can file a form titled “request for assistance by adopted person which would authorize identifying information be released to a natural parent or siblings. This form can be obtained by visiting http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoptaft.aspx

The purpose of the form is to authorize the release of identifying information pertaining to the adoptee to the natural parent or sibling when the adoptee reaches the age of 21 or older. This authorization can be rescinded at any time by writing to the Department of Health and including a notarized statement with the address and two forms of identification.

In order to rescind the above form at any time as well as request and rescind as many times as you would like or need. There is also a form for this which can also be accessed by clicking on the above referenced link.