Contemporary Adoption Research
Page Content
In Oregon, adoptions are handled by the
Adoption Services Unit
of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), by a private agency
or through independent arrangements. DHS is the central source for adoption
data in Oregon and collects individual case data on public agency
adoptions but only has combined data on other adoptions. DHS has kept
records on adoptions since May 1920. Oregon circuit courts and some county
courts have jurisdiction over adoptions.
Adoptee Birth Certificates Open
Adopted persons may obtain a copy of
their original Oregon birth certificate. The person
must be 21 years of age or older and born in the State of Oregon. Learn more on the Oregon Health Authority
Preadoption Birth Records website.
Voluntary Adoption Registry
DHS
Adoption Services Unit
offers a
voluntary adoption registry
to help people receive adoption information. Information is available to:
- Birth parents of an adoptee
- Adult adoptee
- An adoptee's genetic sibling who is 18 years of age or older
- Adoptive parents of a deceased adoptee
- Adult siblings of deceased birth parents of an adoptee
- Parents of deceased birth parents of an adoptee
- Putative father of adult adoptee
Information includes the current name and address of the registrant; any previous name by which the registrant was known; the original or adopted names of the adopted child; the place and date of birth of the adopted child; and the name and address of the agency, which made the adoptive placement. Registration is $25.
Non-identifying information is available to adoptive parents of the adoptee or adoptee’s guardian; the birth parents of the adoptee; the adoptee if age 18 or older; in the event of the death of the adoptee: the adoptee’s spouse, if the spouse is the birth parent of the adoptee’s child or the guardian of any child of the adoptee; or any progeny of the adoptee who is 18 years of age or older. Information includes genetic, social and health history of the adoptee, if known, excluding identifying information. (Oregon Revised Statutes 109.425 et seq., Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 413, Division 130).
For more information see the Oregon Adoption Search and Registry Program >