The Wisconsin Adoption Search Law

Wisconsin's Adoptions Record Search law is set forth in State Statutes Sections 48.432 (PDF, 749kb) and 48.433 (PDF, 749kb). The primary purpose of the law is to help persons who have been adopted or whose birth parents have terminated their parental rights in Wisconsin to obtain information about themselves and their birth relatives. This information includes:

• Non-identifying social history information
• Medical and genetic information on birth parents and members of their families, including routine health information and any known hereditary or degenerative disease.
• Most recent names and address of birth parents in Department of Children and Families files.
• A copy of the impounded birth certificate (the birth certificate on record prior to the time of adoption).

The law specifies conditions and protections under which a search may be conducted. Birth parents have the opportunity to file a notarized statement (affidavit) consenting to the release of identifying information or the right to refuse to allow release of identifying information.

Return to Adoption Records Search Index

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Last Revised: June 20, 2008