Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I to pay the $150 when I file the petition? Not when you file - you receive a bill from the state while the search process is going on for the birth parent  It has to be paid before the search can be finished.

• What if I don't have $150? When you send in your request, advise that you would like the fee waived. If you are a full time student or on a fixed income this would apply.

• What if the birth parent does not give consent? The social workers will try to obtain updated medical information for the adoptee.

• What if the birth parent can not be found? After 6 months and the birth parent cannot be located the Circuit Court Judge may release the name and last known address.  This is at the judge's choice and not all of the Circuit Court Judges are releasing this information.

• Do I need an attorney to file the petition? No attorney needed.  Just fill out the form or submit a letter to the Circuit Court where your adoption occurred and ask that they conduct a search.

• What if I just want my medical? Currently the state is not doing search  for medical information only at this time                                    

• Can I get a copy of my original birth certificate? Yes, but the state will not release this with out a separate court order.  If you get the order for the birth certificate it can only be used just one time so get as many copies of your original certificate as you need.  Sometimes the judge will release it with the information from the file when the petition is filed. 

• How can a birth parent get medical information to the adoptee? under certain circumstances the state is passing medical information to the adoptee or adoptive parents if adoptee is under age. This is for extreme or rare situations only.  This information must be medically documented and submitted with a request for the state to contact.  This portion of the bill has only been in force for about two years and approximately only 10 of these have been done to date for heredity genetic diagnosis - example " Huntington Disease"  Identifying information is not related to the adoptee or adoptive parents. Read
  

• How can I get non-identifying information? Write to the agency that handled the adoption and ask that this information be provided.  Be aware that some agencies ie Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Services are charging for this information.  The state will provide this information for free.

• What if the adoption agency (other then the state) wants to do the search for the birth family? Currently the state is the one by law that has the jurisdiction to conduct the search.  Some agencies are charging more than the state.  It is up to your if you want to pay more or have the state do it at the $150.

• I want to put a letter in my birth child's file - where do I write? Be sure write to the state and the agency  (if one was involved ).

• What is the address for the state?  Cabinet of Human Resources, Adult Adoption Division, 3rd Floor, 275 E Main St, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

• What about finding a sibling? If a pre-adoption relationship was established then the state can assist. Read

• What if I need additional search help? E-mail us -we will be happy to discuss this with you

• Do registries really work?  Reunions percentages have greatly improved due to the internet.  Always take advantage of a registry by entering your information.

• What is the address of the Circuit Court that I need?