NY S02939

Adopted persons age 21 and older may petition a court to unseal adoption records to obtain identification information about their natural siblings.

The court must send a letter to the last known addresses of natural siblings age 21 and over, informing them of the contact request and allowing 120 days to consent or reject contact.

Court may disclose the names and last known addresses of natural siblings only if consent is received and disclosure would not reveal the identity of natural parents.

If a natural sibling explicitly rejects contact, the applicant cannot reapply for that sibling's information; if there is no response, the applicant may reapply no sooner than one year later.

The act takes effect 90 days after becoming law.