2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 3, Chapters 90 - 130
ORS Chapter 109
109.503 Access to adoption records for search; duties of searcher.

(1) When the Department of Human Services or an Oregon licensed adoption agency has been instructed to conduct a search, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency may examine adoption records maintained by the department and by private adoption agencies under ORS 109.435. However, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency may examine the adoption records of a private adoption agency only if the private adoption agency allows the examination. The department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall keep the records and information located in the records confidential.

(2) If the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency is able to identify and locate the person being sought, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall make a confidential inquiry of that person to determine whether the person wishes to make contact with the person requesting the search. The department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall make the inquiry in person if possible. If the reason the person is requesting the search is because there is a serious medical condition in the person s immediate family that is, or may be, an inheritable condition and the person being sought is biologically related to the ill person, the department or the Oregon licensed adoption agency shall inform the person being sought of that fact.

(3)(a) If the person being sought wishes to make contact with the person requesting the search, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall:

(A) Tell the person about the voluntary adoption registry under ORS 109.435 to 109.507 and that any contact will be made through the registry and its provisions and shall give the person any information and forms necessary to register;

(B) Notify the voluntary adoption registry that the person being sought has been identified and located and has indicated that the person wishes to make contact; and

(C) Return all materials and information obtained during the search to the department or agency responsible for maintaining the information.

(b) If the person being sought has indicated a wish to make contact and has not registered with the voluntary adoption registry within 90 days after the confidential inquiry was made, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency, where practicable, shall contact the person to offer forms and materials to register and to determine if the person still intends to register.

(4) If the person being sought does not wish to make contact with the person requesting the search, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall:

(a) Tell the person about the voluntary adoption registry under ORS 109.435 to 109.507;

(b) Notify the voluntary adoption registry that the person being sought has been identified, located and has indicated that the person does not wish to make contact; and

(c) Return all materials and information obtained during the search to the department or agency responsible for maintaining the information.

(5) If the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency is unable to identify and locate the person being sought, the department or an Oregon licensed adoption agency shall notify the voluntary adoption registry of that fact.

(6) Upon receiving notice under subsection (3)(a)(B), (4)(b) or (5) of this section, the voluntary adoption registry shall:

(a) Enter the information into its records; and

(b) Notify the person requesting the search only that the person being sought has or has not been located, and either:

(A) Has indicated a wish to make contact and has been given information and forms necessary to register; or

(B) Has indicated a wish not to make contact. [1993 c.410 4; 1995 c.79 43; 1995 c.730 13; 1997 c.442 10]