Confidential intermediaries , assigned by the courts, have access to sealed adoption files for the purpose of conducting a search. They make contact with each party and obtain each person's consent or denial for the release of information. In an affidavit system, parties can give prior written permission affirming their consent to the release of identifying information. A veto is a document in which one party registers his or her refusal to be contacted or for release of his or her identifying information. Some States may have provisions for a contact veto permitting a party seeking information access to identifying information, including an original birth certificate, but prohibiting contact between the parties.
Most States allow an adoptee to petition the court to receive identifying information.