Legal Rights of Adopted Individuals in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the rights of adopted individuals to access information about their biological parents are governed by the North Dakota Century Code. The law provides specific provisions for adopted individuals who have reached the age of majority, which is 18 years old in North Dakota.
Requesting Information about Biological Parents
According to the North Dakota Century Code, an adopted individual who is 18 years of age or older may request the department to initiate the disclosure of information identifying the adopted individual’s genetic parents (North Dakota Century Code). This provision allows adopted individuals to access information about their biological parents, which may include their names, last known addresses, and other identifying information.
However, it’s important to note that the disclosure of identifying information is subject to certain conditions. The law stipulates that the disclosure of a party’s identifying information may not occur unless the party consents to disclosure (North Dakota Century Code). This means that the biological parents must give their consent before their identifying information can be disclosed to the adopted individual.
Meeting Biological Parents
While the law allows adopted individuals to request information about their biological parents, it does not explicitly provide a right for adopted individuals to meet their biological parents. The decision to meet is typically a personal one and may depend on the wishes of both the adopted individual and the biological parents.
However, the law does provide for exchanges of identifying or nonidentifying information between the genetic parents, adoptive parents, and adopted child before the child reaches adulthood. This is at the discretion of the child-placing agency, with due regard for confidentiality (North Dakota Century Code). If one parent objects, the identifying information disclosed by the agency may only relate to the consenting parent or parents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an adopted individual in North Dakota who is 18 years or older can request the department to initiate the disclosure of information identifying their biological parents. However, this is subject to the consent of the biological parents. While the law does not explicitly provide a right for adopted individuals to meet their biological parents, it does allow for the exchange of information, which could potentially facilitate a meeting if all parties are agreeable. As always, individuals seeking to understand their rights in this area should consult with a legal professional to ensure they have the most accurate and up-to-date information.