VOLUNTARY ADOPTION
MUTUAL CONSENT REGISTRY

-RULES AND PROCEDURE FOR USE-

RIGL 15-7.2-1 has established a passive voluntary adoption union registry to be administered by the Family Court of Rhode Island. 15-7.2-15 requires the Family Court to promulgate rules and procedures necessary for the operation of the registry.

THIS REGISTRY WILL:

(1) establish a passive voluntary adoption reunion registry where birth parents, adult adoptees and surviving relatives of deceased birth parents and deceased adoptees as defined in this chapter may register their willingness for the release of identifying information to each other;

(2) provide for the disclosure of identifying information to birth parents and their genetic offspring through the court if a birth parent or parents and the adult adoptee are registered;

(3) Provide for the transmission of non identifying health and social and genetic history of the adult adoptees, birth parents and other specified person.

Persons eligible to register and use the registry:

- Adult adoptees
- Birth parents
- Adult genetic sibling of adoptee
- Adoptive parents of deceased adoptee
- Parent or adult siblings of deceased birth parent

HOW TO REGISTER:

- Fill out consent form/affidavit available at the Juvenile Clerk's Office at Family Court, One Dorrance Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island.

- Said registrant must submit a certified copy of his or her birth certificate.

- Show proper identification which shall include two of the following:

1. U.S. Passport

2. A State-issued driver's license or a State-issued ID card with photograph

3. Original Social Security Card

- Pay the twenty-five ($25.00) registration fee.

PROCESS:

When the above requirements are fully met, registry personnel shall review its files to determine whether there is a match by comparing dates and place of birth of the adopted person.

If a likely match appears registry personnel will contact the chief Judge of the Rhode Island Family Court or his/her designee to examine the records to verify a match.

If a match occurs and all necessary relevant persons have registered, then the registry will give notifications of the match to the registrants.

The notification shall be a direct confidential contact at the address specified by the registrant.

After this notification but prior to the release of any information the Rhode Island Law requires that the adult adopted participate in at least one hour of counseling to assist in addressing the issues that may arise in the reunion situation.

This counseling is available free of charge by the Family Services Unit of the Family Court. An adult adoptee may also see a private counselor at his or her own expense. Proof of the visit and subject matter shall be provided to the registry personnel prior to the release of any identifying information.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION:

Any eligible registrant or any adoptive parent may object to the release of identifying information.

The objection must be filed with the registry on an objection form. In the case where there has been an objection filed and a verified match has been established, the Family Court will hold a hearing at which the merits of the objection shall be heard prior to the release of any identifying information. The Family Court will then determine whether it is in the best interests of the parties to release the objected to identifying information.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF REGISTRY INFORMATION:

Any registrant who discloses any information about biological parents or adult adoptee without the person's expressed written consent shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

PASSIVE REGISTRY:

Under Rhode Island Law this is a passive registry meaning that the registry personnel cannot by law solicit, directly or indirectly seek registrants. All registrants must come to the registry and voluntarily enter their affidavit/consent form.