2011 Vermont Code
Title 15A Adoption Act
Article 6 RECORDS OF ADOPTION PROCEEDING; RETENTION, CONFIDE
§ 105 Disclosure of identifying information

§ 6-105. Disclosure of identifying information

(a) Identifying information about an adoptee's former parent shall be disclosed by the registry to any of the following persons upon request:

(1) An adoptee who is 18 or more years old.

(2) An adoptee who is emancipated.

(3) A deceased adoptee's direct descendant who is 18 or more years old or the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is less than 18 years old.

(b) From July 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997, the registry shall disclose identifying information under subsection (a) of this section only if the former parent consents to such disclosure. After December 31, 1997, the registry shall disclose information under subsection (a) of this section as follows:

(1) For adoptions that were finalized prior to July 1, 1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information if the former parent has filed in any probate division of the superior court or agency any kind of document that clearly indicates that he or she consents to such disclosure.

(2) For adoptions that were finalized on or after July 1, 1986, the registry shall disclose identifying information without requiring the consent of the former parent except the registry shall not disclose such information if the former parent has filed a request for nondisclosure in accordance with the provisions of section 6-106 of this title and has not withdrawn the request or, prior to July 1, 1996, has filed in any court or agency any kind of document that clearly indicates that his or her identity not be disclosed and has not withdrawn the document.

(c) An adult descendant of a deceased former parent or the guardian of a former parent who has been declared incompetent may consent to the disclosure of information as provided for in subsection (a) of this section.

(d) If an adoptee, who is 18 or more years old, consents, identifying information about the adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to any of the following persons upon request:

(1) The adoptee's former parent;

(2) The adoptee's sibling who is 18 or more years old.

(e) Identifying information about the adoptee shall be disclosed to the adoptee's former parent if the parent of an adoptee who is less than 18 years old consents to the disclosure.

(f) Identifying information about a deceased adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to the adoptee's former parent or sibling upon request if:

(1) the deceased adoptee's direct descendant is 18 or more years old and consents to the disclosure; or

(2) the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who is less than 18 years old consents to the disclosure.

(g) Identifying information about a sibling of an adoptee shall be disclosed by the registry to the adoptee upon request if both the sibling and the adoptee are 18 or more years old and the sibling consents to disclosure. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)