Access Adoption Records in Ohio

For years, the question of whether adoptees in Ohio could access their birth records depended on when the adoption took place. With the passage of a 2015 law, all adopted people born in Ohio can now get their original birth certificates and adoption files through the state.

While the state has made it easier for adoptees to get information about their family histories, the process of getting Ohio adoption records can still be difficult and time-consuming to navigate. It involves notarizing documents, providing multiple forms of identification, and mailing or submitting your application in person to the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus.

The 2015 law does not apply to adoptions handled through private agencies or attorneys. In these cases, the person searching for information would have to contact the agency or attorney for information, which will not include the names of the birth parents.

If you’re an Ohio adoptee, birth parent, or biological sibling looking for family members, there’s an easier way. Adopted.com cuts through the red tape by offering a voluntary adoption reunion registry, where adoptees and birth parents mutually consent to share their information and reconnect.

You can join the registry by answering ten simple questions that most people know about the adoption. As the largest voluntary adoption registry in the U.S., Adopted.com reaches people in all parts of Ohio, from Cleveland to Cincinnati and everywhere in between. Register today for a simple, secure way to search for answers and potentially reunite with your biological relatives.

Currently, there are
12,521
members searching in Ohio

Are Adoption Records Public in Ohio?

No, Ohio adoption records are not public. However, state law allows adoptees to access their original birth records and adoption files. If you were adopted in Ohio after 1996, you must be at least 21 years old to access your records through the state’s Department of Health.

Are Ohio Adoption Records Sealed?

Yes, Ohio adoption records are sealed, but you don’t need a court order to get them. Adoptees and their adult lineal descendants, such as children and grandchildren, can file requests to obtain adoption records. These records include original birth certificates. To get your records, you need to submit a notarized request form and provide two forms of identification.

What Year Did Ohio Open Adoption Records?

In 2015, Ohio enacted a law that opened records for adoptions that occurred between 1964 and 1996. The state had closed adoption records in 1964 but opened them again in 1996. However, the 1996 law did not retroactively apply to adoptions within the previous 32-year period. The 2015 law changed that, giving all Ohioans the right to access their original birth certificates and adoption files.

As part of the 2015 law, birth parents had one year to ask the state to remove their names from a child’s original birth certificate. The law also allows biological parents to submit a contact preference form stating if or how they wish to be contacted.

The 2015 law does not apply to adoptions handled by private agencies or attorneys. In this case, adoptees can contact the agency or attorney to get non-identifying information about the adoption. This will not include birth parents’ names.

What Happens to the Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in Ohio?

After an adoption in Ohio, the child’s original birth certificate is sealed. The state Department of Health issues an amended birth certificate that lists the child’s adopted name and adoptive parents.

An adoptee can request a copy of their original birth certificate from the state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the Department of Health. You must mail the forms to the bureau or drop them off in person in Columbus. You cannot request your original birth certificate online.


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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 1,209,660 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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