Legal Question in Family Law in New Mexico
Adult Adoptee Rights
As an adult adoptee, am I entitled to a copy of my final adoption decree? The copy given to my adoptive parents has been lost. When I called the county clerk to ask how to request another copy, she told me that I had no right to it and that my parents had no right to request another copy.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Adult Adoptee Rights
Go to the county courthouse where the adoption was filed. Give the case number to the clerk where the cases are filed. If you do not have the case number give the names on the case to the clerk or search on the computer if there is one available. You should be given the file to review and all you need to do is photocopy what you want. In Florida, we sign out for a file by giving the case number or we are able to search with the computers which are there. The clerk pulls the file and we are able to spend as much time as we want with the file in a designated room. It is as easy as that.
Re: Adult Adoptee Rights
That sounds pretty harsh. I've gotten conflicting comments from different clerks on the same case file, so maybe you hit the clerk who was having a bad day. In Montana, adoption files are sealed. I can't even see the ones I did. Maybe if you show ID, maybe if your mom or dad goes with you, somehow verify that you're the people who are involved in the case, giving you a copy won't seem like such a big deal. Get the copy certified while you're at it.
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