Access to Adoption Records - Michigan

Who May Access Information

Citation: Comp. Laws § 710.68

Nonidentifying information may be provided to the following:

• The adult adoptee
• The adoptive parents
• Birth parents and adult birth siblings

Identifying information may be accessed by the birth parent, adult adoptee, and an adult former sibling.

Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Comp. Laws § 710.68; 710.27

Within 63 days of a written request, the following information must be provided:

• The date and place of the child's birth
• The health and genetic history of the child, including prenatal care, condition at birth, and any drug taken by the child's mother during pregnancy
• Any subsequent medical, psychological, psychiatric, or dental examination done when the child was under the jurisdiction of the court
• Any neglect or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse suffered by the child
• A record of any immunizations and health care the child received while in foster care
• The health and genetic history of the child's birth parents and other members of the child's family
• The findings of any medical, psychological, or psychiatric evaluation of each parent at the time of placement
• If a parent is deceased, the cause of and the age at death
• A description of the child and the child's family of origin, including:
  • The first name of the child at birth
  • The age and sex of birth siblings
  • The child's educational background and any special educational needs
  • The child's racial, ethnic, and religious background
  • A general description of the child's parents
• The child's past and existing relationship with any relative, foster parent, or other individual or facility
• The levels of educational, occupational, professional, athletic, or artistic achievement of the child's family
• Hobbies, special interests, and school activities of the child's family
• The circumstances of any order terminating the parental rights of a parent for abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other mistreatment of the child
• Length of time between the termination of parental rights and adoptive placement and whether the termination was voluntary or court ordered
• Any information necessary to determine the child's eligibility for State or Federal benefits, including financial, medical, or other assistance

Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Comp. Laws §§ 710.27a; 710.68

A birth parent or adult former sibling who knows the birth name of the adoptee may file with the central adoption registry a statement consenting to or denying the release of the identifying information about that parent. The statement may be filed, updated, or revoked at any time.

Within 63 days after a request for identifying information about an adult adoptee is received, a child-placing agency, court, or the Department of Human Services shall provide in writing to the birth parent or adult birth sibling requesting the information the adult adoptee's most recent name and address, if the adult adoptee has given written consent to release the information. If written consent is not on file, a confidential intermediary may be used to locate the adult adoptee.

Upon a written request for identifying information from an adult adoptee, including a request for the name and address of an adult birth sibling, the agency, court, or department shall submit a clearance request form to the central adoption registry. After receipt of a clearance reply form from the central adoption registry, the agency or department shall notify the adoptee in writing of the identifying information to which the adoptee is entitled or, if the identifying information cannot be released, the reason why the information cannot be released.

For adoptions finalized between May 28, 1945, and September 12, 1980, identifying information shall be released to the adult adoptee on each birth parent who has consented to the release, or both birth parents if both have consented or if one or both parents are deceased. For adoptions finalized before May 28, 1945, or after September 12, 1980, identifying information may be released to an adult adoptee unless the birth parent has filed a statement currently in effect with the central adoption registry denying consent to have identifying information released.

Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Comp. Laws § 333.2882

A copy of the original birth certificate may be provided to the adult adoptee upon request when accompanied by a copy of a central adoption registry clearance reply form or by court order.

Where the Information Can Be Located

Michigan Confidential Intermediary Program, Michigan Department of Human Services