California Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
About Adoption Records in California
California adoption records are sealed, and you can’t access an original birth certificate or other documents without a court order. For some adoptions, the state will release names and contact information if both the adoptee and the birth parents consent.
Even with this option, accessing adoption records in California is difficult. Fortunately, there’s another pathway available to you. Adopted.com is a voluntary adoption reunion registry where adoptees, birth parents, and relatives can find one another very quickly.
When you register with Adopted.com, you can begin looking for your relatives, whether you’re in San Diego, Sacramento, or anywhere else in California. To join, you just need to answer ten easy questions about the adoption. These questions focus on the adoption details that most people know, even without access to official state records.
Bureaucratic red tape shouldn’t keep you from getting the answers you’ve spent a lifetime not knowing. Register with Adopted.com today for the chance to reunite with your birth family.
Register Now Directory
29,523 Are Adoption Records Public in California?
No, adoption records are not public in California. You need a court order to access adoption records, which include an adoptee’s original birth certificate. This document usually contains the birth parents’ names.
How Do I Obtain Adoption Records in California?
You’ll need to file a petition to access adoption records in California. In the petition, you must show that you have a good reason for accessing the records, such as a medical necessity. Contact the clerk’s office in the county superior court that handled the adoption. The clerk can provide more information on how to file your petition.
While California has closed adoption records, the state can provide identifying information to adoptees in some circumstances. You can ask for your birth parents’ names if you meet these conditions:
- You’re 21 or older.
- Your adoption was finalized after Jan. 1, 1984.
- Your birth parent(s) signed a form granting permission to disclose their name(s).
- You submit a statement requesting your birth parents’ names and addresses.
You should send your form to the agency that handled the adoption or the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). CDSS doesn’t charge a fee, but licensed adoption agencies may require payment.
If you cannot obtain any information this way, you can also register with California’s Mutual Consent Program. The registry will release contact information for adult adoptees and birth parents if both sides consent. This information will include names, email addresses, and/or phone numbers. Siblings can also join the registry if they’re at least 18 years old.
To join the registry, complete the Consent for Arranging Contact (AD 902) form if you’re an adoptee or a birth parent. Siblings should complete the Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings (AD 904A) form. Return the form to CDSS or the agency that handled the adoption.
Does California Have Open Adoption Records?
No, adoption records in California are closed. However, California allows open adoptions to take place. An open adoption means the birth parents and adoptive parents arrange to have contact with each other.
While open adoptions allow families to share information, they don’t change the legal status of adoptions. Open adoption records in California are sealed once an adoption is finalized.
Are Adoption Records Sealed in California?
Yes, California seals all adoption records to keep birth parents’ identities private. If you’re an adoptee, however, you can get some non-identifying information about your birth parents. This information may include general facts about your birth parents and their medical histories. It will not include their names or contact information.
You can request access to non-identifying information by writing a letter. In the letter, include your name, date and place of birth, and your adoptive parents’ names. You’ll need to have your signature notarized. Mail your letter to the adoption agency or the CDSS. You cannot email or fax your letter.
Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,198,408 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN California
-
EJMcMenamin
37 minutes ago
-
Leckenroad04
1 hour ago
-
CBodin
1 hour ago
-
Mjmodica
1 hour ago
-
AmyLuettgen
1 hour ago
-
Paigemaples
1 hour ago
-
Ashleej14
1 hour ago
-
Jabarimoonvii7
2 hours ago
-
Crutchfield
3 hours ago
-
Crydersmom
3 hours ago
-
Just21in
5 hours ago
-
EAdams17
5 hours ago
-
Anthonycasanova
5 hours ago
-
SRickO
6 hours ago
-
AdoptedMom1953
8 hours ago
-
JaskibbyUHh6897
8 hours ago
-
Samuallangley
9 hours ago
-
Joshua2169
9 hours ago
-
WrightKimberly
9 hours ago
-
Karinhenard
10 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within California Who Chose To Be Featured
301. Hamster1223 : I am from chula vista looking for my parents.
302. Karenleger1966 : I was born on may 19th 1966 in west covina california i only know my biological mothers last name and its frye i was adopted by a older couple who lived in charleston utah their names were duke and joyce johnson and they were ranchers i was told that my cousins in california helped out with the adoption i also know that my adopeive parents had to meet my biological mother befor they were allowed to adopt me
303. Garner1 : Possibly with the adopted name Keith but not sure...my aunt lived in a maternity home in Los Angeles. She doesn’t give me much information, but I don’t think she was very coherent at the time as I have learned a lot of the mothers didn’t know what day it was. She also said he was 12 pounds, but my aunt is barely 5 foot tall so I am not sure. My father, her brother, was in Vietnam at the time of the pregnancy, so I believe it would have been within 1969-71.
304. CALI8459 : **DNA RESULTS COOK, ALLEN, BALL, SIDWELL, EDWARDS, SWISHER, JOHNSON, BRADFORD, SPARKS, ** I AM A FEMALE BORN AUG 4 1959 3:06 A.M. 7 LBS 13 1/2 OZS 18" LONG. CDSS NON ID INFO. BIRTH MOTHER 27 YEARS OLD FROM ILLINOIS. BIRTH FATHER 29 YEARS OLD FROM NEW JERSEY. DEC 4 1959 MY BM TOOK ME TO AN ACQUAINTANCE AND HIS WIFE AND ASKED THEM TO TAKE CARE OF ME. THEY FILED A PETITION TO ADOPT ME WITHOUT MY BM CONSENT. MARCH 3 1961 THEY GAVE ME TO ANOTHER COUPLE BECAUSE THEY WERE SEPARATING. THIS COUPLE FILED AN ABANDONMENT ORDER ON MY MOM DEC 5 1961. THEY THEN TERMINATED MY MOM’S PARENTAL RIGHTS. :( THEY FILED A PETITION TO ADOPT ME ON APRIL 17 1961. ADOPTION GRANTED MARCH 12 1962 LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT. I HAVE MORE INFO. THIS COUPLE CHANGED MY NAME, TOLD ME MY BD WAS SEPT 27 1959, AND RAISED ME WITH A BOY AS HIS TWIN, AND I’M PRETTY SURE WE’RE NOT RELATED. I AM LOOKING FOR MY BIRTH PARENTS AS WELL AS MY BROTHER AND SISTER WHO WERE ALSO ADOPTED OUT AROUND THE SAME TIME. I HOPE TO FIND THEM, IT WOULD BE MY DREAM COME TRUE.
305. RICKB3825 : I was born in Westminster, Ca. At the time of my birth the woman who gave birth to me left me where I exited her body. Her name was Vera Blackburn.
306. Kfdorado : The small amount of paperwork that I have says that my birth mother was only 14 when I was born. Born at kaiser hospital in Fontana CA
307. Tweetybird96002 : I was born on July 3, 1965, in Los Angeles. I have 2 or three sisters and I was the only one put up for adoption at I think age 3. My birth mother was blond and father was of Hispanic decent. I came across some information that said birth mother name of Peggy Belcher. Please contact if you know anything about my history or family.
308. Nenemac : I am looking for my mother’s birth family. I have some information, but very, very little. I am hoping beyond hope to find someone with enough information to verify a match.
309. Auburnteach99 : I know I have a half brother born in August of 1975 through my birth mother and a half sister born in September of 1975 through my birth father. My parents’ names were David and Nancy.
310. Jordan1023 : All i know is i was born april 5 1995 12:51 am at st mary medical hospital in long beach california. My original was Shaquetta dorsey until it got changed to jordan alexandria anderson by my adopted mom
311. DELETE_ME : Birth mother name is Michelle Wood(s) Rotz
312. MaryX42 : Looking for anyone with a connection to a woman with the last name of Fuller, who had a baby girl on 2/20/1957 in Los Angeles County, CA.
313. Bcasper : I was adopted in 1981 through LDS family services in Southern California. My mother was also adopted when she was around four years old. The name she was given before her adoption was Tina Marie Maya
314. Suerex : I was born on January 16, 1969 at St. Anne’s Hospital and adopted through Holy Family Adoption Agency in Los Angeles, CA on March 7, 1969. My birth mother was said to be 20 years old at the time with the last name Cullen. The birth father was said to be 34 years old with the last name Larkin. Both from PA per the adoption papers I received.
315. Cookie12 : I was born at the La Mirada hospital in California February 10‚1962 I stayed in hospital due to the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck during birth. I am looking for any biological family as I have no further information
