If your child’s adoption was completed on or after January 1, 1984

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or the licensed California adoption agency that handled the adoption can disclose your name and address to your child if the following conditions are met:

  1. The birth parent signed a relinquishment or consent for adoption, or the parent's rights were involuntarily terminated by court action on or after January 1, 1984.
  2. The birth parent signed an Adoptions Information Act Statement (AD 908) form granting permission for such disclosure.
  3. The adoptee has submitted an Adoptions Information Act Statement (AD 908A) form requesting disclosure of the name and address of their birth parent(s).  The adoptee must be 21 years of age or older in order to complete the AD 908A.

If you do not know which licensed California adoption agency handled your child’s adoption, you may mail your Adoptions Information Act Statement form to the CDSS at the address below.  We will search our records to determine who maintains your child’s adoption file.  If the CDSS maintains your child’s adoption file, we will process your Adoptions Information Act Statement form.  If a licensed California adoption agency maintains your child’s adoption file, we will return your Adoptions Information Act Statement form along with the address of the agency, so that you may mail the form directly to them.

California Department of Social Services
Adoption Support and Records Unit
744 P Street, M.S. 8-12-521
Sacramento, CA 95814