How Adoption Records Work in Georgia

Georgia adoption records are sealed once the adoption process is complete. You can’t access them without a court order. If you’re an adoptee, birth parent, or biological sibling, you may be able to find family members through a state registry, but only if they mutually consent to sharing information.

The state contracts with a nonprofit organization to operate an adoption registry. It’s free to register, but if you want to conduct a search, there’s a non-refundable $300 fee per family member.

When you’re trying to learn more about your birth family, these roadblocks can be extremely frustrating and costly. 

Adopted.com offers a simple, easy alternative for those looking to reconnect. You just need to answer ten simple questions about the adoption. Using information most people already know about the adoption, you can create a free profile. You’ll be notified right away if there’s a potential match.

Adopted.com is the largest voluntary adoption reunion registry in the United States. By registering, you can search for matches from Valdosta, Atlanta, or any other part of Georgia. Bypass the red tape and join today to expand the search for your birth family.

Currently, there are
6,409
members searching in Georgia

Are Adoption Records Public in Georgia?

No, Georgia adoption records are not public. After an adoption is finalized, the records are sealed permanently. These records include an adoptee’s original birth certificate, which may have information about their birth parents.

How Do I Get My Original Birth Certificate if I Was Adopted in Georgia?

After an adoption in Georgia, the child’s birth certificate is amended to include their adopted name and their adoptive parents’ names. The original birth certificate becomes part of the sealed adoption record. Once sealed, it's only accessible through a court order. GARR cannot provide original birth records to adoptees.

Are Adoptions in Georgia Open?

Some adoptions in Georgia are open. An open adoption means the adoptive family knows the birth parents’ identities. In some cases, birth parents continue to interact with the adoptive family after the adoption. They may communicate through phone calls, social media, or in-person visits.

Even with this arrangement, Georgia's open adoption records are sealed once the adoption becomes finalized. Adoptees who know their birth parents still cannot access their original birth certificate without a court order.

How Do I Get My Adoption Records Unsealed in Georgia?

You need a court order to unseal your adoption records in Georgia. Typically, this process involves filing a petition with the court or state department that handled the adoption.

Another option offered by the state is the Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry (GARR). If biological relatives consent to sharing it, GARR can release identifying information such as names and addresses.

You can join the state registry if you’re one of the following:

  • An adult adoptee who’s at least 18
  • An adult child of a deceased adoptee
  • An adult biological sibling
  • A birth parent
  • A parent or sibling of a deceased birth parent

If you want information about an adoption but don’t wish to connect with biological relatives, GARR can provide non-identifying information from sealed records. This information won’t reveal your birth parents’ names, but it may provide insights about their genetic, social, or health histories.

You don’t need a court order to access non-identifying information. You can submit a request through GARR if you’re an adult adoptee over 18 or the adoptive parent of a minor child.


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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 1,210,457 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 Now

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