Adoption is a wonderful way to grow your family and help a child in need of a forever family. Unfortunately, like so many other procedures rooted in law, adoption can start to feel a little complex and discouraging. In particular, locating adoption records when you need them, which may be necessary to obtain certain identifications, government benefits, and so forth.
At McIntyre Tate, LLP, our Rhode Island adoption attorneys like to make legal situations as simple as possible for the people in our communities. To do our part, we have made this quick guide to reference when you need to locate your adoption records.
For a noncertified copy of your preadoption birth record:
- You must be 25 years or older to receive your noncertified preadoption birth record copy.
- You will need to fill out the appropriate application form from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RI DOH): Application for a Noncertified Preadoption Birth Record. Access it in a Word document form by clicking here.
- Print the application form, fill it out, and mail it to the RI DOH with the applicable fee and a copy of a valid government identification, like a driver’s license or passport. You should find the current fee schedule described in the printed form. This amount is subject to change without notice, so make certain you have downloaded and printed the most current form available.
Additional information about noncertified copies of preadoption birth records:
- Only you can collect a noncertified copy of your preadoption birth record in Rhode Island. You cannot request such copies for relatives.
- Such adoption records are not accepted anywhere as proper forms of identification.
- A search for your adoption records in Rhode Island may be unsuccessful if you were adopted in Rhode Island but born in another state. The application fee will remain nonrefundable in the event of a fruitless search.
- Information recorded on preadoption birth records and adoption paperwork may not be reflective of what you expect to see. For example, you may be surprised to find you have a different birth name compared to the name you use now. Or, your father’s name might not be included on the record depending on where you were born.
- You may receive a copy of your preadoption birth records without requesting one. This may happen if one of your birth parents files to change your birth record, such as when submitting an updated medical form.
For Help Finding More About Your Adoption, Call (401) 351-7700
The Rhode Island Family Court Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry may be able to help you locate more adoption records in the event that your application to the RI DOH fails or only retrieves partial records. However, this Registry is not known for completing requests in a timely manner. To get the guidance and support you need to keep the gears turning, come to McIntyre Tate LLP. Our Rhode Island adoption attorneys would be happy to lend our years of experience to help you retrieve the records you need, and to address any other questions you have about adoption in the state.
Call (401) 351-7700 or contact us online for a consultation.