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How to Look at and Get Copies of Sealed Adoption Records

Adoption records are usually sealed by the court. This means they are private and not open to the public. Only certain people can get these records, and some people must ask a judge for permission.This page explains who can access adoption records and how to get them.

Utah Code 81-13-103, Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 107,  and Utah Code of Judicial Administration 4-202.03.

Access for adults who were adopted as a child

If you are 18 or older and were adopted as a child, you may look at and copy these adoption papers:

  • Report of adoption
  • Your original birth certificate
  • The court's findings of fact (why the judge approved the adoption).
  • The final decree of adoption (the order that made the adoption official).

You may be able to get these records without asking a judge. See below for how to request them from the court.

You will need a judge's permission if the records are sealed by a court order. For example, this can happen if a pre-existing (biological) parent asked the court to keep the records sealed. You can still ask the judge for access. See below for how to file a petition. 

Access for others

In most cases, you must ask a judge for permission to access adoption records by filing a petition. But in some situations, you can ask the court for the adoption records without a court order.

You can ask the court directly if:

  • Case is still happening: The adoption case is still in progress and you are a party to the case.
  • Very recent case: It has been less than 180 days since the final adoption order was signed and you are a party to the case.
  • You already have permission: A judge has already signed an order letting you see the records.
  • Adult adoption: You were adopted as an adult or adopted an adult, and the case was in district court (not juvenile court). 
  • Very old records (100 years):
    • Adoption records become public 100 years after the final adoption paper was signed.
    • A birth certificate became public 100 years after the person's birth.

If one of these applies to you, see the steps below for how to ask the court for the records.

If none of these apply, you may need to file a petition. See the steps below for how to file a petition.

How to ask the court directly (when a petition is not needed)

Follow these steps if you don't need a judge's permission:

Contact the the court where the adoption case was filed 

    In person: Go to the court's front counter and be prepared to show a photo ID. 

    By email: Email your request to the court. Include the case information and a copy of your valid photo ID. You can use this lookup tool to find your court's email address.

    Formal Records Request (if needed): If you are asking for many records, the court may require you to fill out the statewide Request for Court Record form. You can submit this form by email, mail, or in person.  

Costs for copies

    Free to look: You can inspect (look at) a record in person at the courthouse for free.

    Paper copies cost: The standard fee is $0.25 per page.

    Certified copies: If you need an official, certified copy, the fee is $4.00 per document, plus the standard $0.25 per page copy cost.

    Staff Time: The court may also charge a fee if it takes staff more than 15 minutes to find your file. Always confirm the exact fees with the court before you make a request.

Utah Code 81-13-103, Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 107(a)  and Utah Code of Judicial Administration 4-202.03.

How to file a petition (ask a judge for permission)

If your situation does not fit the exceptions listed above, you must formally ask a judge for permission to access adoption records. To do this, you must file a petition using the form below in the forms section.

The court must approve your petition before you will be given access, and it has the final say on what information, if any, will be released.

What your petition must do:

  • Show "good cause" for access. You must explain why you need the records and why your reasons for access outweigh the reasons for keeping the file sealed.

  • Clearly list the specific documents you are trying to get.

Additional requirements for specific information

The court will ask you to explain why a petition is necessary if the information you need is available from another source:

  • For identifying information (such as names, addresses, and other details that could reveal a person's identity): You must show why the information from the mutual-consent voluntary adoption registry of people who agree to share information is not sufficient. 
  • For health, genetic, or social information (such as medical history, cause of death, or medical background): You must show why the information available from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics is not sufficient.

What happens next

The court may order you to serve the petition on anyone with an interest in the file, such as the birth parents. If the court orders you to serve the petition, you must follow Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 4. See our web page on serving papers for more information.

The court may hold a hearing on the petition, or could make a decision based solely on the petition and other documents filed with the court by parties who have been served with the petition.

If the judge approves the petition, the court will only let you see the records listed in the court order. Court staff will help you access the papers that you may look at. After you look at them, the file will be sealed again.

Objecting to a petition to open a court adoption record

If you were served with a petition to open a court adoption record and want to object, you can file an objection using the form below. The court may schedule a hearing to consider your objection. The court will send you notice of the date and time for the hearing. The court may also make a decision without a hearing, based on the petition and your objection.

Utah Adoption Registry (non-court process) 

The Utah Adoption Registry allows Utah adoptees age 18 and older to access a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate. It also allows sharing of contact information of adoptees, birth parents, and blood related siblings as long as they each agree. 

Access health, genetic, or social information (non-court process)

Utah adoptees age 18 and older may request a search for medical or health history information submitted by a birth parent by completing an application for non-identifying health history with the Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

Forms

Some forms may not apply in all cases. 

Forms to petition the court to open an adoption record

Forms to oppose a petition to the court to open an adoption record

  • 1005XX
  • 1111GE

 

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