State laws differ in how they handle access to information in sealed adoption records.
This document explains and summarizes the types of information made available under State law. Those wishing to access records are encouraged to investigate the laws in the State where the adoption was finalized. Policies on what information is collected varies from State to State along with the maintenance and disclosure of that information. Medical history is only rarely updated, making the information as old as the adopted adult. Past records may contain very sparse information collected at the time of the adoption either due to hesitancy of birth mothers to disclose information or to the lack of importance given to this information by adoption agencies, private facilitators, and lawyers.