what is the best way to research closed adoption records?

Question

i was born in michigan when all adoption records were sealed...some birth years have been grandfathered into a new law, but not the year i was born. any ideas?

Answer 1

Hey Chinacat,

Here are some thoughts, and some web sites.

Try searching the laws and agencies and what other people have done. You may find a way that it can be done. If there are records, you have a right to know.

Michigan has some pretty tough process, this is what the 3rd sites says to do: "This office does not have copies of the adoption decree. You need to contact the court in the county where the adoption was finalized to obtain that information. If you do not know the county where the adoption was finalized, you can request a copy of your adoptive birth record and specifically request that we identify the court that ordered the adoptive record be created."

So, if you know the county, then contact the court. Make an appeal to unseal the records.