Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - Florida

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Ann. Stat. §§ 63.082; 63.085; 63.032

An adoption entity must provide the prospective adoptive parents with information concerning the background of the child. An adoption entity includes any of the following:

• The Department of Children and Family Services
• A child-placing agency licensed by the department to place minors for adoption
• A child care agency registered under § 409.176
• An intermediary (a licensed attorney who arranges the placement of children for adoption)
• A child-placing agency licensed in another State that is qualified by the department to place children in the State of Florida

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 63.085

The adoption entity is responsible for providing the prospective adoptive parents with information concerning the background of the child to the extent such information is disclosed to the adoption entity by the parents, legal custodian, or the department. The information to be disclosed includes the following:

• A complete set of the child's medical records documenting all medical treatment and care since the child's birth and before placement
• All mental health, psychological, and psychiatric records, reports, and evaluations concerning the child before placement
• The child's educational records, including all records concerning any special education needs of the child before placement
• Records documenting all incidents that required the department to provide services to the child, including all orders of adjudication of dependency or termination of parental rights, any case plans drafted to address the child's needs, all protective services investigations identifying the child as a victim, and all guardian ad litem reports filed with the court concerning the child
• Written information concerning the availability of adoption subsidies for the child, if applicable

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 63.085

The adoption entity is responsible for providing the prospective adoptive parents with information concerning the background of the child to the extent such information is disclosed to the adoption entity by the parents, legal custodian, or the department. The information to be disclosed includes the following:

• A family social and medical history form completed pursuant to § 63.162(6)
• The birth mother's medical records documenting her prenatal care and the birth and delivery of the child

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Fla. Stat. § 63.085

In all cases, the prospective adoptive parents must receive all available information by the date of the final hearing on the petition for adoption.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Fla. Stat. § 63.082

The form containing biological and sociological information, or information as to the family medical history, is not required for adoptions of relatives, adult adoptions, or adoptions of stepchildren, unless parental rights are being or were terminated pursuant to chapter 39.