Do an adoptee have rights in Florida to know their heritage?

Answer 1

I'm not sure you're using the term "heritage" the way most of us would.

When parents put their child up for adoption they sever all rights. Before that point, though, the can USUALLY (but not in Michigan and a few other states) negotiate for the right of the child to be able to find them in the future. But that's under today's rules and laws. Before the mid-80s they were GUARANTEED their children could never find them. So if finding your birth parents is what you consider knowing your heritage, then the answer is "it depends". Some states allow birth parents to leave letters with the agencies and if their children want to find them in the future, the information is waiting for them when they're ready. Other states refuse to even enteratain the idea.

The other side of this is that if "know your heritage" means you don't necessarily want the names of your birth parents but you want to know information about them then the answer is yes. You have a right to any information they voluntarily gave to the agency before the adoption. I've seen the letters that adoptive parents have been given through the years and they get pretty descriptive...just short of giving the parents' names. But definitely enough information in there to start your own search and be able to find either the parents themselves or key relatives.

Answer 2

Even though Florida is a "closed record" state, if you are of age you can still request your Non-identifying information. Non-Identifying information is, as the name implies, information which does not include identifying information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, etc. Non-identifying information may provide additional information and clues you may not already have.

Upon request, all non-identifying information, including the family medical history and social history (meaning "heritage") , about the adoptee and the adoptee's birth parents "must" be furnished to adult adoptees and/or adoptive parents.

Your request should be made in writing.
Adoptees should note in their request the names of their adoptive parents.

A copy of your driver's license or notarized proof of identification is required, and you must state your role in this adoption (adoptee, adoptive mother/father).


For information on how to request non-identifying information, contact Lorraine Kratz, Records Center Manager for the Office of Vital Statistics Adoption Unit at 904-359-6900 ext. 1081 or Cristina Serrano, ext. 1086.

I hope this information helps!!

You might want to also want to look into joining the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry. For more information you can take a look at their website

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeod9mo/farr.htm

Blessings

Answer 3

Adoption records are closed in the State of Florida, and may be opened only upon order of the court. The Florida Office of Vital Statistics permits adult adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, biological siblings, and biological grandparents to register their information.

There are a lot of helpful links about Florida search resources. This is only one of them:

http://www.findinginflorida.org/FLsearch.htm

A list of Florida support groups can be found here. If you're going to begin any type of search, you will definitely need support:

http://maxpages.com/fltriad/Support_groups

Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

Blood testing your DNA will tell u ur genetic heritage!

Answer 5

You have a right ANYWHERE to know once you're legal. 18 or 21 depending on the state.