Adoption records are considered confidential and are kept sealed under South Carolina law. However, the birth parents, the adoptive parents, biological siblings and the adoptee can access some information.
Non-Identifying Info
The chief executive officer of an adoption agency can release non-identifying information about an adoption to an adoptee, his adoptive parents or his birth parents. Under South Carolina law, non-identifying information includes the medical history of the biological parents and the adoptee, general information about the family background and information about the length of time the adoptee has been with his adoptive family. Information about the family background can't include names or references to geographical locations.
Identifying Info
Under certain circumstances, adoption agencies can disclose identifying information to an adoptee who's at least 21 years old, his biological siblings and his birth parents. An application for identifying information must be made in writing. The birth parents, birth siblings and adoptee must file sworn statements acknowledging their willingness to have their identities revealed. All parties also must receive counseling. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before the information is given out.
Birth Certificate
Original birth certificates are sealed by the state. As of 2010, there was no way to access the original birth certificate.
Tags: birth parents, information about, South Carolina, about family, about family background, adoptive parents