THE OHIO ADOPTION REGISTRY

A Confidential and Voluntary Way for Adopted People and their Biological Families to Find One Another

What Is The Ohio Adoption Registry?

The Ohio Adoption Registry was established by the Ohio Legislature to provide a confidential and voluntary way for adopted Ohioans and their biological families to find one another.

Birth records of adopted people born after January 1, 1964 are not available to the public in Ohio. The Adoption Registry acts as a clearinghouse between adoptees and their biological families.

How Does It Work?

If you are the biological parent or sibling of someone who was adopted, request what's called an Authorization for Release form, complete the information, and file it with the Registry.

This form allows the Registry to release your information to an adoptee who has also signed a form saying they want to find biological family members.

If You Are Adopted...

If you are adopted and 21 years old or older, you must file a petition with the probate court in your county to have information about your birth released to the Registry.

When the court submits this information to the Registry, a search is made to see if any authorization forms have been filed by a biological relative, agreeing to be contacted.

If a completed release form has been filed with the Registry, a copy is forwarded to the probate court or agency appointed by the court.

If no release form is found, the probate court can order the file "pending" until a release is filed. For information regarding filing a petition you may contact any Ohio Probate Court.

Where Can I Get A Release Form?

Authorization for Release Forms used by the Ohio Adoption Registry are available at various locations throughout the state including Vital Statistics Registrar offices (often found in local health departments) and probate courts, or by contacting Vital Statistics at the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus.

Does It Cost Anything?

There is no charge for filing a release form with Vital Statistics. Probate courts do charge a fee for adoptees to file a petition with the court, usually about $50.00. Check with the court for the exact amount of that fee.

What If I Change My Mind?

Any information filed with the Registry may be updated, changed or withdrawn at any time by the person who originally filed the information. Simply contact Vital Statistics at the address found on the back of this brochure.

Why Does Ohio Have An Adoption Registry?

The Ohio Adoption Registry was Posted 9 Sep 2000.

privacy of adopted people and their biological families by creating a clearinghouse for them to contact one another. The Registry operates strictly on a mutual consent basis. Not every adopted person wants to find their biological family members, and not every biological family member of someone who was adopted wants to be found.

For more information, contact your local Vital Statistics Registrar or:

George V. Voinovich	Peter S. Somani, M.D., Ph.D.
	OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH VITAL STATISTICS P.O. BOX 15098 COLUMBUS, OH 43215-0098 (614) 644-5635
Governor	Director of Health

Copies of the forms used are also availble for your review.

Pregnant Pause Home

Adoption

Search this site

Posted 9 Sep 2000.