Florida Adoption Records
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Accessing Adoption Records in Florida
Florida adoption records, including original birth certificates, are sealed. They cannot be opened without legal intervention. While the state prohibits access to adoption records, it allows for the release of birth parents’ names with written authorization.
Even with this possibility, finding information about an adoption can be difficult, and a reunion may take years. For adoptees or birth parents wondering how to find adoption records in Florida, there’s an easier way to begin your search.
Adopted.com offers a voluntary reunion registry to connect biological family members who want to meet through mutual consent. When you register with Adopted.com, you answer ten easy questions about the adoption. You don’t need official records to answer the questions – our system works with information you already know about the adoption.
We’re the largest adoption reunion registry in the U.S., providing an alternative path for biological relatives to reconnect.
Whether you’re in Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, or any other part of Florida, Adopted.com offers a simple, voluntary way to find the information you’re looking for — without a court order or other bureaucratic red tape.
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17,307 Are Adoption Records Public in Florida?
No, Florida adoption records are not public. After an adoption, the state seals all records, including court files and the adoptee’s original birth certificate.
While getting official adoption records requires legal intervention, Florida allows adoptees access to their birth parents’ names if the parents authorize the release in writing. If you’re an adoptee, you can request this information once you’re 18.
How Do You Get Adoption Records Unsealed in Florida?
You need a court order to get adoption records unsealed in Florida. Contact the Clerk of the Court office in the county that handled the adoption. You’ll need to file a petition to unseal the records. The court will evaluate your petition and determine whether you’ve presented good cause to access the records.
How Long Are Adoption Records Sealed in Florida?
Once an adoption becomes finalized in Florida, the records are sealed permanently. Without a court order, you won’t be able to access the adoption file again, whether you’re an adoptee, a biological parent, or an adoptive parent.
However, state law allows people impacted by adoption to get information through the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR). This includes both non-identifying information and, in some cases, identifying information.
Non-identifying information includes family medical histories, which birth parents must provide at the time of adoption if it’s available. Adoptees can get access to this information once they turn 18. To get non-identifying information, contact the Florida Post Adoption Services Unit. If a private agency handled the adoption, contact the agency directly.
What Information Does FARR Provide?
FARR can also release identifying information with written consent. This includes the names of birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents.
Other family members can join FARR, including biological siblings, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. If two or more people join the registry, FARR will connect them for a reunion. However, this happens fairly infrequently. According to the state, FARR currently has over 10,000 people on the registry but only facilitates a few reunions each month.
What Happens to the Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in Florida?
After an adoption in Florida, the court forwards a report to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The bureau creates an amended birth record, which lists the child’s adopted name and adoptive parents. The original birth certificate is sealed and can only be released under a court order.
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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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Florida Who Chose To Be Featured
166. Happyholly : looking for birth parents of Jule Pearl Wright born Apr. 8 1923. adoptive parents were Alvah Grady Wright and Leone Aileen Wright.
167. Cbrogdon : Born at Baptist Hospital‚ birth mom was 15 and birth father was 19. I was adopted from the Children’s Home Society of Florida in April of 1970.
168. Jaymz22 : I was adopted Feb 17th 1984 I believe it was at Florida Hospital East. I also did not go through and agency. The adoption was through a Lawyer. I actually found the Lawyers name and called him. He said he shredded all his documents. That was over 10 years ago. My mother is of Italian decent and Father was of Puerto Rican decent.
169. CGriffith : Your father and mother were either married or recently divorced at the 5ome.of your birth. He was a soldier in Vietnam. Her name - Betty Carter - She was young. Teens to very early 20s. I’ve only ever seen a black and white photo taken within days of your birth it was dated 1972. The inscription just read ’Jerry’s son.’
170. Wunderhund : I was adopted thru Chosen Children in West Palm Beach‚ Fl
171. TheStory : My sons name is Charlie. His parents are Amy and Chik. She is a lawyer and at the time was the state prosecuting attorney in Michigan. CHIK owns an itallian restaurant. Charlie’s grandmother lives in Palm Beach or West Palm Beach.
172. Jessicaa : I was adopted out of dade city Florida at birth, was a closed adoption as far as i was told, was told my birth mother and grand mother were both redheads and i had an older sister still in diapers, that i was given away cuz my birth father ran out and she couldn’t support two young children.
173. ATH22 : I was born 12/22/1986 to a mother who was 26 or 27, in Florida, near Gainesville in Alachua county general. It was a private, closed adoption. She may have had children before me, and the birth father was supposedly much younger than her.
174. Pparris : Ft. Myers Lee Memorial Hospital Pamela Parris
175. Cinlue : I am a female born in 1990.
176. Ashleyl90 : I was born & adopted on January 18th‚ 1990 in Key West. Left for New York within the week. Birth mother (Jean Catlin) and birth father were never married. I believe they they lived on the beach for a few years (sometime between 1986-1993?) & he sold baskets he weaved from coconuts. Not much info about birth father other than possible name of Alton Dane Smith Jr (Danny) and he may have had a family already I also found out I have a full sister that was born around 1.5 years earlier than me & was also adopted out. I’d like to find her. I was told her original name was Athena Dan Catlin and mine was Danielle Rose Smith I believe my current parents provided the last name of Frank or Lichtenberg during the process. Closed Adoption.
177. Amydub : I am a biological sibling ISO a brother who was born in Miami‚ FL in December 1974. Both biological parents are caucasian. The adoption was likely handled through Catholic agency of some sort. Your birth mother has regretted the decision every day since. I am trying to piece things together for her. You were loved from the moment you were conceived and there on. Your biological family sincerely hopes to find you and know that you are ok. Best regards to all who are in a search.
178. MarySchmittGowen1977 : I have been searching for my birthdaughter most of 2012. I am registered with AdoptionDataBase.org and ISRR.
179. SCHENCKDEBRA : WAS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE AT 5MTHS. OLD.PLACED IN ADOPTION AT 2YRS. OLD.
180. Beauty11 : I DO NOT KNOW MUCH OF MY ADOPTION. ALL I KNOW IS I WAS BORN IN BAPTIST HOSPITAL,THAT I WAS 6DAYS OLD, THAT MY NAME WAS DANA MELISSA WRGHT.AND I HAVE LOTS OF AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS, NIECES,NEPHEWS AND 3 OR 4 BROTHERS AND SISTERS SOMEWHERE OUT THERE
