Access to Adoption Records - Kansas

Date: December 2019

Who May Access Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2122

Except as provided below, the files and records of the court in adoption proceedings shall not be open to inspection or copy by persons other than the following:

  • The party filing for adoption or termination and that party's attorney
  • An adoptee who has reached the age of majority
  • Representatives of the Department for Children and Families
  • The disciplinary administrator
  • The Commission on Judicial Qualifications

Prior to the final decree of adoption, any party in interest may request access to the files and records of an adoption proceeding. After notice and a hearing, and upon a written finding of good cause, the court may order that some or all of the files and records of an adoption proceeding be open to inspection or copy by the moving party.

After the final decree of adoption, the court may permit access to some or all of the files and records of an adoption proceeding for good cause shown.

Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2122

The department may contact the adoptive parents of the minor child or the adult adoptee at the request of the birth or genetic parents in the event of a health or medical need. The department may contact the adult adoptee at the request of the birth or genetic parents for any reason. The department may contact the birth or genetic parents at the request of the adoptive parents of the minor child, the adult adoptee, or the legal guardian of the adult adoptee in the event of a health or medical need. The department may contact the birth or genetic parents at the request of the adult adoptee for any reason.

Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2122

Identifying information shall not be shared with the birth or genetic parents without the permission of the adoptive parents of the minor child, the adult adoptee, or the legal guardian of the adult adoptee.

Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 65-2423

The original birth certificate is a sealed document that may be opened by the State registrar only upon the demand of the adult adoptee or by an order of the court.

Where the Information Can Be Located

Kansas Department for Children and Family Services, Post Adoption Search and Records

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