In Minnesota, adoption records are classified as confidential data.
State law specifies that the following individuals can initiate a search:
- Adopted individual 18 years and older
- Sibling, 18 years and older of an adoptee
- Adoptive parents
- Birth parents
If you do not know the adoption agency or county that facilitated the adoption, you can complete the Foster Adopt Minnesota Search form to get the name of the placing agency and the district court where the adoption was finalized.
If you know the adoption agency or county that facilitated the adoption, you may contact them directly for Post Adoption Services.
If you are a child or grandchild of an adoptee, you must have written permission from the adopted person to request a search. The written permission must be notarized. If you are a child of an adoptee and the adopted individual is deceased, you must provide the death certificate and your birth certificate.
Yes—Foster Adopt Minnesota has Post Adoption Funding to support individuals requesting post adoption services.
Eligible requestors can contact FAM directly if they wish to apply for funding for the following:
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- Non-certified copy of Original Birth Record
- Petitioning court
- Ancestry DNA kit
- To request funding support for the aforementioned documents and services, please complete the Post Adoption Funding Form and submit it to FAM.
The placing agency can also apply for funding on behalf of an eligible requestor to cover any adoption agency fees for post adoption services. The placing agency will need to complete a Post Adoption Funding Form and submit it to FAM.
Currently, the database used to search for adoption records is being updated by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Because of this, searches are taking longer than 30 days.
You may contact the identified agency to discuss how to obtain the information you are seeking. Be aware that Minnesota law allows agencies to charge a fee for their services. In some situations, you may petition the district court and ask that the adoption records be released to you. Starting July 1, 2024, adopted individuals and other eligible requestors are now able to request a non-certified copy of the original birth record from the Minnesota Department of Health.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families began maintaining adoption records in 1917, and in very few instances, has records prior to 1915. For records prior to 1915, check with the Minnesota History Center: http://libguides.mnhs.org/adoption/orphanage
If you are seeking genealogy information, Minnesota law allows all adoption records to become public on the l00th anniversary of the adoption decree (the date the adoption was finalized). In these cases, please fill out the Foster Adopt Minnesota Search form and indicate the file is 100 years old.
Adoption Search Angels
Adoption Search Angels volunteer their time and talents to help families touched by adoption. Some may charge a nominal fee. Please contact the Foster Adopt Minnesota Post Search Specialist at 612-746-5135 for more information.
The “Practice Guide for Post Adoption Search Services” lists many resources and is available on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families website at: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-4701-ENG.
*This information was provided by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Adopted individuals, birth parents, adoptive parents, siblings, and others touched by adoption may choose to engage in a search process for a variety of reasons. While some individuals have always had a desire to search, others may not have any interest. The basis for performing a search may be as unique as the individuals who choose to search. Some of the most common reasons for searching may include: the need to obtain medical information or to have other comprehensive information in emergency situations; knowledge regarding the circumstances resulting in placement or experiences during placement with a sibling from whom they were separated; and/or major milestones in life (graduation, marriage, birth, death). Some individuals may feel that the information may fill a void or answer curiosities. In Minnesota, adoption records are sealed upon the finalization of an adoption, maintaining the confidentiality of the contents regarding identifying information. [National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC), Access to Family Information by Adopted Persons: Summary of State Laws]. Adopted persons age 18 and older and adoptive parents may obtain non-identifying medical and background information from an adoption record without an adoption agency violating confidentiality. [Minn. Stat., section 259.83]
