Can I Get My Adoption Records Unsealed in Florida?

Are you the slightest bit curious about where you get those brown eyes or high cheek bones? Yea, go ahead admit it, you are! The way to get this done is through petitioning the court to have your adoption records unsealed. All that is required of you is some faith, an open mind and patience. So, this one is for my fellow adoptees who just want to know: Who am I? Know where your adoption was finalized and filed. For example: if in the State of Florida, say for instance Clearwater, Florida in the county of Pinellas, then you would go to the clerk of the court’ s office in downtown (Clearwater). Go down to the courthouse, and ask where the civil court department is. Please remember, that calls concerning filed adoptions will not be entertained. The clerks may even sound rude, this is because they are not authorized to even elude to any adoption records on file. Ask the clerk at the desk for the adoption records unsealing packet. Remember, the clerks are not authorized to answer any questions regarding adoptions, and therefore they will simply give you the forms and you will be on your own, unless you have an attorney to assist you with completing them. Fill out the paperwork: Full name(s) of your adoptive parents, your date of birth, your adoptive name(if it was changed), reason for the unsealing of your records, and if you had any assistance from an attorney or a non-lawyer to complete your paperwork. Review the forms for errors and accuracy of information listed, get it notarized, make copies of the packet and return it to the Clerk’s office for processing. When will your request be reviewed and placed on the hearing Judges court calendar? This will depend on when the judge actually receives the request, and how long it takes them to review it. When you use these steps write back and tell me if you were successful or not!