LibGuides: Child Adoption Law in Ohio: Adoptions Records Law

Ohio Adoption Records Laws - Selected Provisions from Chapter 3107

Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 149.43
With the exception of the examples described below, adoption records are exempt from the public records law.
Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 3107.063
An attorney arranging a minor's adoption, a mother, a public children services agency, a private noncustodial agency, or a private child placing agency may request at any time that the department of job and family services search the putative father registry to determine whether a man is registered as the minor's putative father.
Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 3107.66
Request for nonidentifying information from adoption attorney, agency or probate court.
Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 3705.123
Records for adoptions decreed before 1/1/1964- Adoption records are open to adoptee's whose birth occurred in Ohio, with proper identification. Also available for lineal descendants with proof of identity and genetic linkage.
Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 3107.38
Senate Bill 23 modified the law governing records of adoptions that were finalized between January 1, 1964, and September 18, 1996. This law will allow those whose adoptions were finalized between January 1, 1964 to September 18, 1996 to gain access to their adoption file and original birth record from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
Oh. Rev. Code Sec. 3107.47
Adoptions After September 18, 1996 - Adoption records are open to adoptive parents when the adopted person is between 18-21 years of age. If the adopted person is 21 years or older, the records are open to the adoptee.

Ohio Admin. Code Rule 5101:2-48-20
Release of identifying and nonidentifying information