FL S0854

Adult adoptees (18 years or older) may request the Department of Health to break the seal on their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, provided they identify themselves to the satisfaction of the State Registrar

Removes the previous requirement that birth parents, adoptive parents, or adoptees must authorize in writing the release of identifying information about themselves before such information can be disclosed

Eliminates the court's "good cause" determination process for releasing identifying information about birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, including the multi-factor balancing test weighing the interests of all parties

Removes the provision allowing courts to appoint an intermediary or licensed child-placing agency to contact birth parents or adult adoptees who have not registered with the adoption registry

Removes the requirement that adoptees or persons seeking adoption information pay a fee to the department or agency for services and expenses related to obtaining that information