Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 15 Sec. 6-112

  • Adoptee: means a person who is adopted or is to be adopted. See
  • Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
  • Records: means all documents, exhibits and data pertaining to an adoption, whether collected prior to or after the decree of adoption. See

§ 6-112. Action for disclosure of information

(a) A person denied disclosure of information under section 6-104 of this title may file a petition in the court to obtain the information being sought.

(b) In determining whether to grant a petition under this section, the court shall review the records of the relevant proceeding for adoption and shall make specific findings concerning:

(1) the reasons the information is sought;

(2) [Repealed.]

(3) if known, whether the individual about whom information is sought is alive;

(4) whether it is possible to satisfy the petitioner’s request without disclosing the identity of another individual; and

(5) the expressed needs of the adoptee, including the emotional and mental health needs of the adoptee.

(c) Before making a determination under this section, the court shall make a reasonable effort to confidentially contact the person whose identity is being sought in order to determine that person’s response to the petition and shall consider any response in reaching its decision.

(d), (e) [Repealed.] (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2021, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.)