| If your Final adoption Decree (not the county where you were born, if different), was filed in one of the following counties, one or both of your a-parents can request a copy of the complete contents of your file, housed at the courthouse. This is identifying information. |
| These counties recognize the a-parents "as parties to the adoption", and therefore will allow an a-parents to view, or request by mail, all identifying information on file, of the original family, of their adopted child. |
| This does not apply to an adoptee born in an open county and adopted in a closed county. The Final Adoption Decree must have been filed in one of the following counties. |
| This information is subject to change at the whim of the county | ||
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| Alameda County Alameda County Recorder Clerk of the Court 1225 Fallon Street Room 100 Oakland, CA. 94612 510-272-6381 Adoptive Parent should bring case #. Willing to copy full file |
Contra Costa Contra Costa County Recorder 730 Las Juntas, Box 350 Martinez, CA 94553 925-646-2365 |
Glenn County 526 W. Sycamore Street Willows, CA 95988 530-934-6412 possibly open |
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Marin County Marin County Recorder Civic Center Courthouse, Room 234 San Rafael, CA 94903 415-499-6094 |
Napa County Napa County Recorder 900 Coombs Street, Room 116 Napa, CA 94559-0298 707-253-4246 Not clear from speaking with the clerk if this is a "open" county. However, the adoptive parents should try it. |
Orange County Orange County Recorder 12 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 238 Santa Ana, CA 92702 714-834-2248 Get Form from County |
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Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara County Recorder 1100 Anacampa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159 805-568-2250 (Recommended adoptive parent go in person) |
Santa Clara County County Government Center East Wing 70 West Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110 408-299-7068 (request must be made in person by adoptive parent) |
Santa Cruz County 701 Ocean Street, Room 203 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-454-2800 |
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Shasta County 1500 Court Street, Room 102 Redding, CA 96001-1679 530-225-5671 |
Sonoma County 585 Fiscal Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-527-2651 Not clear from speaking with the clerk if this is a "open" county. However, the adoptive parents should try it. | |
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To make request: Have one of your a-parents send a notarized letter. Provide case number if possible, and date adoption was finalized. A-parents need to provide their full names, including mothers maiden name, and a picture ID and their SS#. Include amended name of child (adult adoptee) and original birth-name if you have it. Fees can vary, are usually 50 cents a page. Might be wise to have a-parent send a check not to exceed $20, and the county clerk with fill in the correct amount, based on number of pages involved. |