Access to Adoption Records

Wyoming is considered a closed adoption state. In other words, once an adoption is final, the records are sealed and access to those records is limited by law.

W.S. 1-22-104(d) "Upon the entry of the final decree of adoption, all records in the proceedings shall be sealed and may be available for inspection only by order of court for good cause shown." Under this section of the law, you may petition the court for access to your records, and the court will determine if there is "good cause" to release the file information to you.

W.S. 1-22-116 states, "To the extent available, the medical history of a child subject to adoption and his natural parents, with information identifying the natural parents eliminated, shall be provided by an authorized agency or may be provided by order of a court to the child’s adoptive parent, anytime after the adoption decree or to the child after he attains the age of majority." In other words, an adoptee or adoptive parent may write to the Department of Family Services or agency where the adoption occurred and request "non-identifying medical information" without court order. There is no provision for this information to be provided to the birth parent.

W.S. 1-22-203(b) allows an adult adoptee, adoptive parents, birth parent or birth relative who is age 18 or older to file an Affidavit and Petition to Appoint a confidential Intermediary in District court to assist in the location of the adult, biological relative. If located and the birth relative agrees, the intermediary brings about contact after filing notice with the court. The necessary forms and paperwork to complete this procedure are in the Clerk of the district court’s office. You should contact the office where you think the adoption was finalized. If you do not know where the adoption occurred, file in the court nearest you.

There are fees associated with the Confidential Intermediary Program. The Legislature intended no state funds be used for this purpose. You will be required to pay a $60 filing fee with the District Court at the time you file your petition. You will need to pay $130 per search, per person, plus a $20 administrative fee to the confidential Intermediary after the court appoints one to serve you, prior to the search. You will need to reimburse the Intermediary for any expenses for such items as copy fees, telephone calls, etc. that are necessary in the location of the sought after relative.

There is no guarantee of a reunion or contact with the sought after relative, even if located. Consent by that relative is strictly their choice.

For more information about the confidential intermediary process in Wyoming, call Wyoming Family Services' Adoption Consultant Maureen Clifton at (307) 777-3570.