Access to Adoption Records - Hawaii

Who May Access Information

Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 578-14.5; 578-15

Health information may be provided to the following persons:

• The adult adoptee
• The adoptive parent
• The minor adoptee's guardian or custodian

Adoption records may be accessed by the following persons:

• The adult adoptee
• The adoptive parents
• The birth parents

Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 578-14.5

The Department of Health shall prepare a standard medical information form to obtain medical information on the birth parents of the minor adoptee. This form shall include a request for any information about the adopted child's potential genetic or other inheritable diseases, including similar medical histories, if known, of the parents of the birth parents. All child-placing organizations shall make reasonable efforts to complete this form on both birth parents; to obtain from the birth parents written consent to the release of this information to or for the benefit of the adopted child; and, whenever possible, to obtain from the birth mother a signed release to receive a copy of all of her medical records relating to the birth of the adopted child that are in the possession of the hospital or other facility at which the child was born. The completed forms shall be included in the department's adoption records.

Upon written application from the adult adoptee€”or the adoptive parent, guardian, or custodian on behalf of a minor adoptee€”the department shall furnish the applicant with a copy of the completed forms. The department is authorized to disclose the information without prior court approval.

Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 578-15(b)

Upon the entry of the decree, or upon the later effective date of the decree, or upon the dismissal or discontinuance or other final disposition of the petition, the clerk of the court shall seal all records in the proceedings, provided that upon the written request of the petitioner or petitioners, the court may waive the requirement that the records be sealed. The seal shall not be broken and the records shall not be inspected by any person, including the parties to the proceedings, except as follows:

• Upon order of the family court upon a showing of good cause
• After the adoptee reaches age 18 and upon submission to the family court of a written request for inspection by the adoptee or the adoptive parents
• After the adoptee reaches age 18 and upon submission to the family court of a written request for inspection by the natural parents
• Upon request by the adoptee or the adoptive parents for information contained in the records concerning ethnic background and necessary medical information
• Upon request by a natural parent for a copy of the original birth certificate

As used in this subsection, the term 'natural parent' means a birth mother or father or a legal parent who is not also the birth parent.

Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 578-14; 578-15; 338-20

If a new birth certificate is issued, the original birth certificate shall be sealed and filed with the decree or the abstract thereof, and the sealed package shall be opened only as provided in § 578-15(b).

The birth parent may be provided a copy of the original birth certificate upon request.

Where the Information Can Be Located

Family Court Central Registry