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Adult Adoptee Access to Adoption and Birth Records: History, Controversy, Legislation, and Societal Change

Adoption Advocate No. 161

Access to adoption and birth records for adoptees sits at the intersection of ethics, privacy, confidentiality, and adoptee rights. Carefully navigating these delicate topics requires an understanding of the history of adoptee records access, the legal statutes and legislative actions that have shaped it, and the impact of DNA technologies. In this month’s issue of the Adoption Advocate, author and adult adoptee Abigail Lindner,  breaks it all down and offers some suggested changes and considerations for the future.

Originally published in 2021 by National Council For Adoption. Reprinting or republishing without express written permission is prohibited.