Ky.gov
Effective: 7/26/2023

13.30.1 Requesting Non-Identifying Information About Biological Relatives from Closed Adoption Records

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​The adoption must have been finalized in Kentucky in order for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS/Cabinet) to provide non-identifying information. Non-identifying information that may be provided by written request includes medical/health, educational, cultural, and family background information, as available in the record. Non-identifying information can be provided to the adult adopted person upon their written request to the Cabinet if they are age twenty-one (21) or older. Non-identifying information can also be provided to the adoptive parents of an adopted child. 

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Requests for information from closed adoption records may come from adult adopted persons, attorneys, and courts. All requests for non-identifying information from closed adoption records are submitted in writing to the Adoption Services Branch.

The record is reviewed by the Adoption Services Branch, and the available non-identifying information is summarized and forwarded to the requestor. No information contained in the record that tends to identify individuals, other than the adopted person, shall be provided without a specific court order.

Practice Guidance

  • ​​All written requests should include the following information, if known: 
    • The adoptive name of the adopted person (not married name or nicknames); 
    • The adopted person’s date of birth (month, day and year); 
    • The birth name of the adopted person; 
    • The names of the adoptive parents; 
    • The county in which the adoption was finalized, usually the county in which the adoptive parents lived at finalization; 
    • The biological mother and biological father's names; 
    • The requester’s name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the adopted person; and 
    • A photocopy of a valid, government-issued ID card.​​

Procedure

​​If the local SSW receives a request for information, they should:
  1. Provide the requestor with a current informational brochure; and refer the requestor to the Adoption Services Branch for guidance.

Documents

Revisions

​7/26/2023

The adoption must have been finalized in Kentucky in order for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS/Cabinet) to provide non-identifying information. Non-identifying information that may be provided by written request includes medical/health, educational, cultural, and family background information, as available in the record. Non-identifying information can be provided to the adult adopted person upon their written request to the Cabinet if they are age twenty-one (21) or older. Non-identifying information can also be provided to the adoptive parents of an adopted child. prior to the finalization of the adoption