Many states have unsealed their adoption records for adoptions as far back as the 1960’s. Utah is a state that has yet to pass laws concerning sealed adoption records. There are many adoptees that are asking the state to help them open their records. One adult adoptee says, “The state makes it hard. The laws are just antiquated.”
While many adoptees feel this way, state lawmakers are taking into account the birthparents feelings. Some claim that at the time the adoption placements happened, birthparents knew the records would be sealed. So what would happen if we change the law at this point? Some birthparents may no longer have their anonymity and some birthparents may have a number of reasons why they do not want their records unsealed.
Other states have addressed this issue as they have passed laws to unseal records. They have put a timetable together where the birthparents have the opportunity to register with Vital Records to keep the records private. In those states that have put this procedure in place, the record remains private with no access if the birthparents choose.
The state of Utah does have a Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry. The registry is maintained through the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Adult adoptees and birthparents can place their name and contact information on this registry. If both adoptee and birthparent register, then information can be given to both parties. If only one registers, no information can be received. At this time, more than 2,000 people have put their name and information on the Utah Mutual Consent Registry, and 1,500 of those are adoptees. One adoptee states, that she never knew the registry existed and doubts her birthmother does either.
Act of Love includes the registry information in counseling/education visits with the birthparents/adoptive families and in the placement and relinquishment packets. Act of Love believes it is important that the birthmother and family not only understand there is a registry, but also understand how the Mutual Consent Registry works. With that being said, the vast majority of the agency’s adoptions are open with ongoing contact, so the registry is just a backup or safety plan in case contact is lost.
Many adoptive parents worry that when their adult children find their birthparents that they will abandon them as parents. One adoptive mother said that she helped her son find his birthmother and it was wonderful for him. But, it ended up heart wrenching for the adoptive mom when he told her he wanted to be with his birthmother now.
Most adult adoptees say the experience can be a fulfilling of who they are. The pieces are all put together and they feel complete. Others have not had such a great experience. One adult male called his birthmother and she said he was mistaken and she was not his mother.
As more states open their adoption records to adult adoptees, the pressure will be on lawmakers of states like Utah where the information remains sealed. Those states, who have taken the extra step to allow birthparents the right to keep their records closed, have made a wise decision. In this way, privacy is not invaded if a reunion is not wanted.
Sources:
https://www.kutv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Push-and-push-back-on-opening-closed-Utah-adoption-records-134277.shtml#.VV4wO9pVhHw