Often we run into problems while searching. Especially if the state in question is a closed record state. What is the difference between an open record and a closed record state? Easy really.
An open record state means that anyone involved in the triad may request the information in the file.
A closed record state means that the state closed its adoption records to public inspection.
Here is a quick list of who’s open and who’s closed:
Alabama – OPEN
Alaska – OPEN
Arizona – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
Arkansas – CLOSED, Year – 1935
California – CLOSED, Year – 1935
Colorado – CLOSED, Year – 1942
Connecticut – CLOSED, Year – 1974
Delaware – CLOSED, Year – 1913
District of Columbia – CLOSED, Year – 1935
Florida – CLOSED, Year – 1930’s
Georgia – CLOSED, Year – 1935
Hawaii – CLOSED, Year – 1945 – Limited Access in effect 1/1/91
Idaho – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
Illinois – CLOSED, Year – 1945
Indiana – CLOSED, Year – 1941
Iowa – CLOSED, Year – 1945
Kansas – OPEN
Kentucky – CLOSED, Year – 1940 (if finalized prior to 1940 case records are available)
Louisiana – CLOSED, Year – 1977
Maine – CLOSED, Year – 1953, Before Aug.8, 1953 records available at Probate Court
Maryland – CLOSED, Year – 1948, Before July 1, 1947 records are open and available from the state archives
Massachusetts – CLOSED, Year – 1972
Michigan – CLOSED, Year – 1925
Minnesota – CLOSED, Year – 1941
Mississippi – CLOSED, Year – unknown
Missouri – CLOSED, Year – 1917
Montana – CLOSED, Year – 1973
Nebraska – CLOSED, Year – 1941
Nevada – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
New Hampshire – CLOSED, Year – 1938
New Jersey – CLOSED, Year – 1941, Prior to 1941 records are open
New Mexico – CLOSED, Year – 1950
New York – CLOSED, Year – 1938
North Carolina – CLOSED, Year – 1938
North Dakota – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
Ohio – CLOSED, Year – 1964
Oklahoma – CLOSED, Year – 1953
Oregon – CLOSED, Year – 1957
Pennsylvania – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
Rhode Island – CLOSED, Year – 1930
South Carolina – CLOSED, Year – 1963
South Dakota – CLOSED, Year – Unknown
Tennessee – CLOSED, Year – 1950
Texas – CLOSED, Year – 1935
Utah – CLOSED, Year – Always
Vermont – CLOSED, Year – 1946
Virginia – CLOSED, Year – unknown
Washington – CLOSED, Year – 1953
West Virginia – CLOSED, Year – unknown
Wisconsin – CLOSED, Year – 1929
Wyoming – CLOSED, Year – unknown