Rule 5180:7-1-18 | Release of information post adoption finalization.
(A) What information is an assessor to provide to birth parents who enter into a voluntary surrender agreement, regarding the release of their identifying information?
The assessor is to inform birth parents who enter into a voluntary surrender agreement, of the following:
(1) Completion of the DCY 01693, "Ohio Law and Adoption Materials" will indicate their decision to authorize or deny the release of identifying information to the adopted person or adoptive parent. The DCY 01693 is to be signed at least seventy-two hours prior to the time the consent to the adoption is executed.
(2) The option, at any time and for as many times as they want, to reverse their decision regarding the release of identifying information by contacting the Ohio department of health (ODH) and requesting a copy of a denial of release form or a copy of an authorization of release form.
(3) If the birth parent does not sign the denial of release of information, identifying information can be released to:
(a) The adoptive parent(s) when the adopted person is at least eighteen years of age but less than twenty-one years of age and the adoptive parent(s) submits a request to ODH.
(b) The adopted person when the adopted person is at least twenty-one years of age and the adopted person submits a request to ODH.
(4) The contact information for ODH to obtain instructions regarding the filing of authorizations or denials.
(B) How is a birth parent who has an involuntary termination of parental rights, to authorize or deny the release of identifying information?
A birth parent who has an involuntary termination of parental rights, may authorize or deny the release of identifying information by contacting ODH and requesting a copy of a denial of release form or a copy of an authorization of release form.
(C) What information is an assessor to provide to the adoptive parent(s) regarding the release of identifying information?
The assessor is to inform the adoptive parent(s) that:
(1) When the adopted person is at least eighteen years of age but less than twenty-one years of age, the adoptive parent can submit a request to ODH to request a copy of the contents of the adoption files which may include identifying information about the birth parents.
(2) When the adopted person is at least twenty-one years of age, the adopted person can submit a request to ODH to request a copy of the contents of the adoption files which may include identifying information about the birth parents.
(3) When the adopted person is at least twenty-one years of age, the adopted person can submit a request to ODH authorizing ODH to assist the birth parents or birth siblings in finding the adopted person's name by adoption. The adopted person may alter this decision at any time or for as many times as the adopted person wants by submitting a request to ODH.
(D) What nonidentifying information is an agency, attorney or court to provide an adopted person at least eighteen years of age, an adoptive parent of an adopted person under eighteen years of age, or an adoptive relative of a deceased adopted person?
Upon written request, the agency, attorney or court is to provide the following nonidentifying information:
(1) Birth parents' age at the time the child was adopted.
(2) The medical and genetic history of the birth parents.
(3) The age, sex, and medical and genetic history of an adopted person's birth siblings and extended family members.
(4) The heritage and ethnic background, educational level, general physical appearance, religion, occupation, and cause of death of the birth parents, birth siblings, and extended family members.
(5) Any information that may be included on the DCY 01616, "Social and Medical History."
(6) Any information that is not deemed as identifying information as defined in sections 3107.01 and 3107.60 of the Revised Code.
(E) What nonidentifying information is an agency, attorney or court to provide a birth parent of an adopted person at least eighteen years of age, a birth sibling at least eighteen years of age, or a birth family member of a deceased birth parent?
Upon written request, and subject to a determination made pursuant to division (E) of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code, the agency, attorney, or court is to provide any nonidentifying information available, including the following:
(1) An adoptive parent's age at the time of adoption.
(2) An adoptive sibling's age at the time of adoption.
(3) The heritage, ethnic background, religion, educational level and occupation of the adoptive parent.
(4) General information known about the well-being of the adopted person before and after the adoption.
Last updated July 15, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3107.081, 3107.082, 3107.083, 3107.09, 3107.14, 3107.45, 3107.46, 3107.47, 3107.48, 3107.49, 3107.50, 3107.61, 3107.60, 3107.66, 3107.171, 3107.38, 3107.381
Five Year Review Date: 7/15/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 1/14/1983, 6/1/1985 (Emer.), 8/12/1985, 7/1/1990, 9/1/1994, 9/18/1996, 2/13/1998 (Emer.), 5/14/1998, 9/1/2003, 9/15/2008, 8/17/2009, 10/1/2014, 2/1/2021