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

Date: August 2020

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.026

The person placing the child for adoption shall furnish to the court, guardian ad litem, and prospective adoptive parent a written report regarding the child.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.026

The Children's Division of the Department of Social Services shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding all written information that shall be furnished to the court, guardian ad litem, and prospective adoptive parent.

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.121

Nonidentifying information, if known, concerning undisclosed birth parents or siblings shall be furnished by the child-placing agency or the juvenile court to the adoptive parents; legal guardians; adopted adult; or, if the adopted adult is deceased, the adopted adult's lineal descendants, upon written request. 'Nonidentifying information' is any information that is not individually identifying information for or about a unique individual, including information likely to disclose the contact information, location, or identity of such individual.

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.026

The report about the child must be compiled as early as is practical before the prospective adoptive parent accepts physical custody of the child.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.