Can a court of law bypass an adoptee’s access to restricted records, or allow access to non-disclosure relatives?

California law permits an adopted adult to petition a court of law in order to receive identifying information contained in sealed records. However, this access is highly circumstantial, and significant cause must be proven to the Court in order for the information to be given. Variations of significant cause include: a showing that the release of such information is in the best interest of all parties and the public, health or medical reasons, or if the actual adoption was a product of potential fraud or misrepresentation of the birth parent(s).

Contacting a birth relative that has filed a request for non-disclosure is a very complicated issue that requires the help of a skilled adoption attorney. Filing an adoption veto to retain anonymity is the legal right of birth parents and birth relatives, and an adoptee who wishes to dispute that right and initiate contact may be faced with heavy legal issues, regardless if a court of law released identifying information. Parties who signed a request for non-disclosure may choose to retaliate and sue based upon insufficient grounds for contact. If you are an adoptee who wishes to contact your biological relatives, who have a filed a request not to be contacted, seek the professional counsel of an experienced adoption attorney who can advise you of your rights and the legal options available to you.