Access to information by adult adoptees

(Submitted to NorthIowaToday.com by David A. Grooters)

In 2007, North Carolina resident and adult adoptee David Vaughan faced a dilemma. Although he never had a desire or an urge to seek out any kind of information concerning his biological roots, he had an urgent medical condition — doctors needed his medical history. However, as an adoptee, he could not get access to such records. Vaughan was forced to work with the North Caorlina legislature to find a solution to this problem. Unfortunately, this issue is not unique to Vaughan. Many adult adoptees will have this same need or desire sometime in their lifetime.

Fortunately, Iowa law provides a manner in which such adult adoptees can access their non-identifying social/medical information without the consent of their biological parents. Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 600.16, any information compiled relating to medical history, medical and developmental history, and social history of the person who was adopted shall be made available at any time by the clerk of court, the department, or any agency that made the placement to: (1) the adopting parents, (2) the adoptee who is age 21 or older, (3) any person approved by the Iowa Department of Public Health if the person uses this information solely for the purposes of conducting a legitimate medical research project or of treating a patient in a medical facility, or (4) a descendant of an adoptee. Importantly, the identity of the adoptee’s birth parents shall not be disclosed.

As noted, the Clerk of Court, the Department of Public Health, or the adoption agency can legally release the above social and medical information regarding adoptees. There may be strategies surrounding which source to start with and it may be desirable to consult legal counsel before proceeding. At the very least, Iowa law provides a way for adult adoptees to gain some information about their past.