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Central Adoption Registry

We maintain the Central Adoption Registry file that contains former parent and adult former sibling statements giving consent or denial to have information about themselves released to an adult adopted person who is searching.

The former family statements are forwarded to the child placing agencies and courts upon request so that they then can make a determination whether identifying information can be released to the adult adopted person or an adult adoptee's direct descendant in those cases where the adopted person is deceased.

The Central Adoption Registry is accessed by the court or agency; individual adopted persons do not contact the Registry. The Registry does not require a fee of the agency or court for checking the file.

Former parents may complete a Parent's Consent or Denial to Release Information to Adult Adoptee - DHS-1919 form.

Adult siblings may file either the  Release of Information to Adult Adoptee by Brother/Sister as Proxy for Deceased Parent - DHS-1918 form or the Adult Former Sibling Statement to Release Information to Adult Adoptee - DHS-1917 form.

If you can not download the above forms, they are available by contacting the family division of circuit court, a child placing agency or your local Department of Health and Human Services office.