Adoptions

Adoption history Registry

The Indiana State Department of Health has established an adoption history registry for adult adoptees and birth parents. This registry is considered a mutual consent registry, meaning that if both parties agree to exchange identifying information, the exchange will be made.

The way it works is an adoptee or birthmother files two forms (known as Identifying Information form 47896 and Non-Identifying Information form 47897) with the registry agreeing to the release of their information. When the state receives the forms they process the information to see if the other party in the adoption has also registered. If so, a “match” is made and it is determined that both parties have agreed to the exchange. They will send the adoptee the name, address and phone number of the birth mother. The state will send the birthmother the name, address and phone number of the adoptee. It is up to the two parties to make contact with each other. If the other party has never registered, the ISDH will send a paragraph of non-identifying information to the person that registered.

The adoption history registry is a free service. Adoptees must be at least 21 years old to receive identifying information. Birth fathers are not allowed to use the registry unless they were legally married to the birth mother when the child was born, or they legally established paternity for the child. This registry is just for adoptions that took place in Indiana.

To receive a form, call the ISDH at (317) 233-7253 or you can print the forms directly from the Indiana State Dept. of Health website at  www.in,gov.isdh

If both parties have not registered to exchange information, the adoptee or the birth parent can contact their adoption agency to request a search for the other party. Most agencies charge a fee for their searches.