Historical Adoption Research
Access to Adoption Information
Researchers use several historical records to find adoption information about their ancestors. Because of the sensitive nature of the information, Oregon statutes restrict access to only authorized people. Published reports covering adoptions before 1919 are available without restrictions.
Researching Published Reports
From 1864 to 1919, Oregon adoptions were published in the Oregon Laws. The state passed an adoption law in 1864 titled "An act to provide for the adoption of children" (Deady General Laws of Oregon 1843-1872, p. 562). The law required that county judges report change of names made in the court to the Oregon Secretary of State, for publishing with the statutes the following year.
The report includes the date, present name, former name, by whom adopted and county of adoption. These reports appear in the biennial Oregon Laws through 1919, reflecting changes of names and adoptions through 1918. The law was repealed in 1921. The biennial Oregon Laws are available in the Reference Room of the Oregon State Archives or other libraries in the state.
Contemporary Adoption Research
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 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
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 name and address of the agency which made the adoptive placement.
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).