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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15,651 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 1,189,574 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
46. Mystyc60 : In late November of 1960‚ in a small town in south central Florida‚ a very courageous woman gave birth to a daughter whom she could not care for. Being in that situation couldn’t have been easy for anyone‚ especially for a woman with other children to care for. I’m sure she must have agonized over the decision that she had to make. But fortunately for me‚ she CHOSE LIFE! My birth name was Baby Girl Sumner. My adoptive name is Nancy Ann Cain. With the help of an understanding physician‚ and the love and support of her sister‚ together they found a wonderful family for her child. That child was ME! I want her to know that I had a wonderful childhood. My parents loved me very much. They couldn’t have loved me more had I been their own. So‚ if you are out there Vida Mae‚ I want you to know I appreciate and admire the choice that you made. It must have cost you dearly. I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I only hope that your life with your family was as happy as the one I had with mine. Thank you‚ from a very grateful daughter!
47. Jamielent09 : I’m looking for a sister. She would be younger than me. I was born in April of 1980. I have found our brother. His name is Corey. He was born in 1976. I am looking for the third child. I was told her fathers name is Frank Aversa and she was named after him‚ so her name would be Francis Aversa. I don’t know how much younger she is. Corey is 46 and I am 42‚ so our sister must be in her late 30’s. I don’t know if she was adopted or not‚ or if her name was changed like Corey and I. My name used to be Donna Toree‚ and his name used to be Robert. If it helps‚ I was born with congenital scoliosis just like our mother.
48. Laurel1466 : I was born in Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. I was adopted through the Children’s Home Society. My bio mother had an older sister and younger twin siblings (boy and a girl). The twin boy was killed in an accident as a teenager. My bio father had multiple siblings and his father had been hurt and was in a wheelchair. These are details in a summary from the adoption agency.
49. Laurel1466 : I was born in Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. I was adopted through the Children’s Home Society. My bio mother had an older sister and younger twin siblings (boy and a girl). The twin boy was killed in an accident as a teenager. My bio father had multiple siblings and his father had been hurt and was in a wheelchair. These are details in a summary from the adoption agency.
50. KERIA : Hello My name is Kiera I was born February 21 1987 and I am looking to contact my Birth Mother!
51. Cjb362 : Looking for male baby born 7/26/70 in St. Petersburg, Florida. BM stayed at Florence Crittendon in St. Petersburg, FL. Birth name was Jo Jo Condon. Birth mother Kathryn Dana Condon.
52. Silverbow : Several medical issues, looking for info on what may be genetic. Born at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL. I may have an older brother, approx. 2 years older than I, and possibly younger siblings. According to adoptive parents, birth family could not afford to keep me. Red Cross may have been involved in helping. A Judge with last name Driver assisted with adoption. Adoptive parents had birth cert "changed" to have their names on it.Profile photo is myself at approx. 18 months old. If it helps...bright auburn hair as a child, now a strawberry blonde...have a feeling my birth mother was a redhead. :)
53. Hmt727 : I really want to find you! My Mom will be so relieved and excited and probably scared and anxious to know about you. She always thinks of you and remembers your birthday. She will be so happy to hear anything about you and your life! I don’t know that much about you except that you were born in Titusville, FL and adopted by a family that called you Scottie in one of the Carolinas. Our mom’s name is Loretta Heaney. You last name is Deal.
54. 0783 : I want to find my biological mother and grandparents Born in Pensacola. Biological mother last name possibly Martin. Or this could be the doctors name that delivered me.
55. Floyd74 : I am white 46 year old male, born September 26, 1974. I was adopted through the children’s home society, in Orlando Florida. Being adopted out of Orlando, do not necessarily mean I was born there. The Children’s Home Society relocates infants away from the Birth Parents place of residence sometimes. My adoptive parents were told my the CHS that my biological parents gave me up because they already had too many mouths to feed and were not able to take care of me. But the CHS does not always tell adoptive parents the truth either. If you have any information, please feel free to contact me for further details.
56. Tntweb : I was born at 6:06pm on 12-18-1967. I weighed 10lbs 3 oz, 20 3/4 in long. My birth mother and birth father were both 20 at my birth. I have limited information but I do know that my mom was 5’4" 120 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes. She worked as a secretary. She had a 17 and 12 year old brother’s at the time of my birth. She had heart surgery at age 10. Her mother was in her early 40’s with brown hair and blue eyes. Her father was in his early 50’s he was 5’8" with black curly hair and brown eyes. My birth father was 6’0" with black hair and blue eyes. He completed one year of college before entering into the service.
57. Tmkaufman : looking for birth mother/father and/or siblings if any
58. Amissan : I would like to find my birth parents.
59. Beka1224 : I have always wondered if my birthparents thought of me as I think of them. I thank them for making such a brave and selfless decision as adoption. They gave me a life and also gave me a chance to live it. I believe my mother’s name was Margaret Simms and my father’s name was Marion Gilbert. I was born in Daytona Beach on 1/3/71. I was adopted immediately by Louis and Mariana Woessner, who lived in New York at the time.
60. Cantelocrane : I was born in Miami, Florida and adopted through a Catholic Agency. My birth name may have been Miriam. According to non-identifying information, my birth mother has blond hair and blue eyes. She was 22 years old at the time of my birth and was a nurse. She was also adopted.
