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Policy Manual
ADOPTION SERVICES

41-40-7
Requests for Non-Identifying Information

Policy The Office of Foster and Adoption Services shall respond to requests for non-identifying information about birth family members in accordance with CONN. GEN. STAT. §§45a-743 through 45a-757.
Information Provided Non-identifying information which may be provided (on forms DCF-337B and DCF-338B) is as follows:
  • genetic parents information, including
    • ethnicity
    • physical description
    • age at the time of the child's birth
    • education and achievements
    • occupations
    • hobbies and talents
    • pertinent medical history, only if documented (discretion should be used in sharing information about psychiatric care, mental illness, rape, incest, venereal disease, etc.)
  • information about any siblings, including their sex and age at the time of the adoptee's birth
  • if available, information about grandparents and other relatives, such as physical description, occupations and education
  • if possible, a description of the child and his/her experiences before being placed in the adoptive home.

Note: Background information should be given in as positive a way as possible.
In-State Requests for Non-Identifying Information Below are the procedures to respond to an in-state request.

The response shall be completed within sixty (60) days of receipt of the request.

 

Step Action by OFAS Worker
1 Upon receiving an inquiry, determine if the Department or a private agency made the placement. If there is no information available, the appropriate Probate Court may have to be contacted.

For adoptions finalized prior to January 1, 1944, the requester may be referred directly to the appropriate Probate Court.

OFAS will answer inquiries regarding private adoptions completed prior to 1959. If a private agency made the placement, refer the caller to that agency.
2 Complete the Adoption Decree Inquiry Screen in LINK.
3 Order the closed record from storage, using DCF-2058, "Adoption Search Data Sheet".
4 Maintain the Case File Notes, DCF-2064, to document the time spent on each case (telephone calls, interviews, research, etc.).
5 Complete DCF-337B , "Genetic Parents Information", and DCF-338B, "Medical Information on Genetic Parents" to be provided to the requester.
6 If the requester wishes to come into the office to receive the non-identifying information, schedule an interview. The requester must furnish identification such as a photo license or employee photo ID and birth certificate.

If he/she wishes to receive the information by mail, a notarized letter verifying the adoptee's identification is required. (See attachments to policy 41-40-8 in the hard copy manual).
7 Enter the search results into LINK within ten (10) working days of closing the search.
8 Give the record(s) to the supervisor when the request for information is closed. Use DCF-2068, "Closing Information" to document the closing of the search
9 (Supervisor): Review and return the record to storage
Requests from Out-of-State Adoptees If a telephone request is received from an adoptee residing out-of-state, the requester is asked to send a notarized letter to the OFAS with some proof of identification.

The non-identifying information will be provided upon receipt of the letter.
Medical Emergencies When a telephone request is received for medical information about an adoptee because of a medical emergency, the OFAS worker shall request that the doctor or therapist immediately send a written release of information, signed by the adult adoptee or the adoptive parent of a minor adopted child.

If there is no written release and a court order is necessary to release the information, the OFAS worker shall contact the Probate Court where the adoptee was adopted.
Adoption Reunion Registry Per CONN. GEN. STAT. §45a-755, each adoption agency shall maintain an Adoption Reunion Registry, on behalf of the following persons:
  • adult adoptee
  • a birth parent who was party to the proceedings of Termination of Parental Rights
  • a putative father who was not party to Termination of Parental Rights, if the birth mother consents
  • an adult birth sibling of the adult adoptee
  • adoptive parent for the purpose of obtaining medical information which affects a minor adoptee
  • birth parent for the purpose of making available medical information for an adult adoptee
  • lineal ascendant and descendants of a deceased birth parent.

Upon receipt of a request to register on the adoption reunion registry, the OFAS worker shall

  • determine if the Department or a private agency made the placement
  • if a private agency was involved, refer the requester to the agency or appropriate Probate Court
  • if the Department made the placement, complete the LINK inquiry screen
  • send the Reunion Registry form to the requester, if appropriate (see Attachments A-D to this policy in the hard copy manual)
  • when the form is returned,
    • order the closed adoption record(s)
    • enter the information supplied on the form into the Adoption Reunion Registry in LINK.
Purpose of Adoption Reunion Registry The purpose of the adoption reunion registry is to document the consent or refusal to consent to the release of information which would identify the registrant.

The registry will contain

  • voluntary consents
  • refusals of consents
  • revocations of consent.
Medical Registry Effective October 1, 1993, each adoption agency shall maintain registries for medical information concerning an adopted person. This information can be provided and updated by a birth parent or blood relative.

An Adoption Registration For Medical Information (DCF-2061) shall be completed for each adopted child.

No information tending to identify the parent or blood relative shall be disclosed without the consent of the respective parties.

Once a medical registry is established by the agency, the agency shall notify the adult adoptee or, if a minor, the adoptive parent, of the availability of such information, provided the agency has the address or telephone number of the adoptee or adoptive parent.

Any medical information to be release shall be provided on " Medical Information On Genetic Parent(s)", DCF-338B.

Connecticut Department of Children and Families Effective Date: July 15, 1997 (Revised)