The
Wisconsin Adoption Records Law
Wisconsin's Adoptions Record Search law
is set forth in State Statutes Sections 48.432
and 48.433.
The primary purpose of the law is to help persons who have been adopted or
whose birth parents have terminated their parental rights in Wisconsin to
obtain information about themselves and their birth relatives. This
information includes:
- Non-identifying social history
information
- Medical and genetic information on
birth parents and members of their families, including routine health
information and any known hereditary or degenerative disease.
- Most recent names and address of birth
parents in Department of Health and Family Services files.
- A copy of the impounded birth
certificate (the birth certificate on record prior to the time of
adoption).
The law specifies conditions and
protections under which a search may be conducted. Birth parents have the opportunity
to file a notarized statement (affidavit) consenting to the release
of identifying information or the right to refuse to allow release
of identifying information.
Administration of the Law
The law establishes procedures for adoption searches and places
responsibility for administration of the law with the State Department of
Health and Family Services (DHFS).
The law requires circuit courts to report medical and genetic information
on both birth parents and relatives to DHFS at the time parental rights
are terminated in Wisconsin.
The law requires DHFS to establish a permanent centralized birth record
file on all adoptions completed within this State.
The law allows adoptive parents to request medical and genetic and
non-identifying Family history information from existing records or to
request updated medical or genetic information on both birth relatives.
The law allows persons to petition the circuit court for an order
requiring release of information not available under provisions of the
search program. |
A
Registry and Resource for Wisconsin Adoptees & Birth Family Members
