Adoption Bibliography of Journal Articles Dealing with the Subject

A Bibliography of Journal Articles Dealing with the Subject
of Sealed Birth and Adoption Records

compiled by Christopher Philippo

Many adoptees have probably read more accounts of searches and reunions than they have law commentaries on the subject of sealed records. This may be because the former can commonly be found in a public library, while the latter cannot.

This bibliography of journal articles dealing with the subject of sealed birth and adoption records will hopefully prove useful to Bastards.

Legal citation form is followed faithfully below: author, title, volume JOURNAL NAME page (date). However, rather than giving only the number of the first page of the article, the last page number has been given as well. This will hopefully make it easier to request the articles by inter-library loan through public libraries, since reference librarians usually want that information.

Prager's, being the first article written on the subject and one of the most cited among them all, is a good starting point.

Frances Y. Ake, Comment, Breaking the Seal: Ohio’s Revised Adoption Law, 20 AKRON L. REV. 769-781 (1987).

Leslie Allan, Note, Confirming the Constitutionality of Sealing Adoption Records: ALMA Society v. Mellon, 46 BROOK. L. REV. 717-745 (1980).

Melissa Arndt, Comment, Severed Roots: The Sealed Adoption Records Controversy, 1986 N. ILL. U.L. REV. 103-127 (1986).

Virginia L. Balmes, The Arizona Adoption Records Statute: A Call for Reform, 1979 ARIZ. ST. L.J. 469-485 (1979).

Michael D. Berman, Unsealing Adoption Records, 22 MD. B.J. 33-35 (Sept/Oct 1989).

James J. Bianco, New Hampshire Adoption Statute An Overview, 18 N.H.B.J. [225]-237 (1977).

Marianne Brower Blair, Lifting the Genealogical Veil: A Blueprint for Legislative Reform of the Disclosure of Health-Related Information in Adoption, 70 N.C.L. REV. 681 (March 1992).

Brigette M. Bodenheimer, New Trends and Requirements in Adoption Law and Proposals for Legislative Change, 49 S. CAL. L. REV. 10, 96-98 (1975).

Victor Bradbury, Show and Tell, 4 FAM. ADVOC. 14, 16 (Fall 1981).

Margaret Young Brown and Patty Dengler, Family Law -- Right of Adoptee to View Adoption Records, 3 AM. TRIAL ADVOC. 585-587 (1980).

Carolyn Burke, Note, The Adult Adoptee’s Constitutional Right to Know His Origins, 48 S. CAL. L. REV. 1196-1220 (1975).

Naomi Cahn and Jana Singer, Adoption, Identity, and the Constitution: The Case for Opening Closed Records, 2 U. PA. J. CONST. L. 113 (1999)

James R. Carter, Comment, Confidentiality of Adoption Records: An Examination, 52 TUL. L. REV. 817-855 (1978).

Jeffrey C. Chang, A Step Toward Resolving the Adoption Records Controversy: The Adoption Agency as The Key to Unlocking Sealed Identities, 12 U.C. DAVIS L. REV. 350-381 (1979).

Carol Chumney, Tennessee’s New Adoption Contact Veto Is Cold Comfort to Birth Parents, 27 U. MEM. L. REV. 843-884 (1997).

Camille Wright Cook & Penny A. Davis, The New Alabama Adoption Code: A Step Forward, 42 ALA. L. REV. 63 (1990).

Anne E. Crane, Unsealing Adoption Records: The Right to Know Versus the Right to Privacy, 1986 ANN. SURV. AM. LAW, 645-666 (1986).

Michael J. Daly III, Hide and Seek, 4 FAM. ADVOC. 15, 18-19 (Fall 1981).

Diana Underhill Dinverno, Note, The Michigan Adoption Code’s Response to the Sealed Record Controversy, 62 U. DET. L. REV. 295-317 (1985).

Stephen J. Drahozal, I Want My Mommy: Historical, Social and Legal Rationales for Unsealing Adoption Records for Adult Adoptees, (2000) (visited 4/9/01) <http://www.air-cap.net/adoptionrights/toc.htm>.

Jeannine J. Fay, Note, The Mutual Consent Voluntary Registry: A Sound Approach to the Sealed Records Controversy, 18 RUTGERS L.J. 663-685 (1987).

C. Lester Gaylord, The Adoptive Child’s Right to Know, 81 CASE & COM. 38-44 (Mar-Apr 1976).

Kathryn J. Giddings, The Current Status of the Right of Adult Adoptees to Know the Identity of Their Natural Parents, 58 WASH. U.L.Q. 677-703 (1980).

H. Joseph Gitlin, Attempts to Resolve the Conflict, 4 FAM. ADVOC. 18-19 (Fall 1981).

Carol Gloor, Breaking the Seal: Constitutional and Statutory Approaches to Adult Adoptees’ Right to Identity, 75 NW. U.L. REV. 316-344 (1980).

Lynne Z. Gold-Bikin, Adoption Records Controversy, 10 FAM. L. REP 1568-1569 (1984).

Stephan A. Gorman, Note, Recognizing the Needs of Adopted Persons: A Proposal To Amend the Illinois Adoption Act, 6 LOY. U. CHI. L.J. 49-70 (1975).

Judge Joyce Hens Green, Do the Adopted Have a Right to Know?, 1 FAM. ADVOC. 24-28, 42-43 (Winter 1979).

Mary L. Saenz Gutierrez, Oklahoma’s New Adoption Code & Disclosure of Identifying Information, 34 U. TUL. L.J. 133-159 (Fall 1998).

Erica Haimes, Secrecy: What can Artificial Reproduction Learn from Adoption?, 1 INT. J. LAW AND FAM 46-61 (1988).

Michael L. Hanley, Comment, A Reasonable Approach to the Adoptee’s Sealed Records Dilemma, 2 OHIO N.U.L. REV. 542-553 (1975).

Joseph D. Harrington, Legislative Reform Moves Slowly, 37 PUB. WELFARE 49-57 (Summer 1979).

Joseph D. Harrington, The Courts Contend with Sealed Adoption Records, 38 PUB. WELFARE 29-43 (Spring 1980).

Joseph D. Harrington, Legislative Update on Sealed Adoption Records, 39 PUB. WELFARE 28-31, 47 (Spring 1981).

Joseph D. Harrington, Adoption and the State Legislatures: Interest and Action Continue to Run High, 42 PUB. WELFARE 34-46, 49 (Spring 1984).

Joseph D. Harrington, Adoption and the State Legislatures 1984-1985: Twelve States Have Acted to Make Access to Information Easier, 44 PUB. WELFARE 18-25 (1986).

Eric Heyden, Seal of Sorrow, 9 HUMAN RIGHTS 28-31, 51, 54-55 (Summer 1981).

Heidi Hildebrand, Because They Want To Know: An Examination of the Legal Rights of Adoptees and Their Parents, 24 S. ILL. U.L.J. 515-540 (2000).

Joan H. Hollinger, Aftermath of Adoption: Social and Legal Consequences, in 2 ADOPTION LAW & PRACTICE ¤ 13.01(1)(a)-(b) (5th ed. 1993).

Ruth-Arlene Howe, Adoption Practice, Issues and Laws 1958-1983, 17 FAM. L.Q. 173, 186, 190-91 (1983).

Kristine Cordier Karnezis, Restricting Access to Judicial Records of Concluded Adoption Proceedings, 83 A.L.R.3d 800 (1978).

Gloria L. Kelly, Note, Getting to Know You: Disclosure of Information Contained in Sealed Adoption Records Under Connecticut Public Act 87-555, 5 CONN. PROBATE L.J. 81, 83-84 (1989).

Joanne Klauer, Open Adoption Records: A Question of Empowerment, 57 SASK L. REV. 415-427 (1993).

Elton B. Klibanoff, Roots: an Adoptee’s Quest, 28 HARV. L. SCH. BULL. 34-40 (1977).

Elton B. Klibanoff, Genealogical Information in Adoption: The Adoptee’s Quest and the Law, 11 FAM. L.Q. 185-198 (1977).

Melissa J. Kozlowski, Right to Privacy v. Right to Ancestry, L.J. EXTRA (Nov. 3, 1998) (visited 4/9/01) <http://www.ljx.com/LJXfiles/flaadopt.html>.

Jason Kuhns, The Sealed Adoption Records Controversy: Breaking Down the Walls of Secrecy, 24 GOLDEN GATE U.L. REV. 259-297 (Spring 1994).

Ronald J. Lajoie, Access to Birth Records: An Adult Adoptee’s Psychological Need and Constitutional Right, 21 NEW HAMPSHIRE B.J. 103-120 (1980).

Ann T. Lamport, Comment, The Genetics of Secrecy in Adoption, Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization, 14 AM. J.L. & MED. 109-124 (1988).

Eileen M. Lawrence, The State’s Interest in Adoption and Washington’s Sealed Records Policy, 4 U. PUGET SOUND L. REV. 351-384 (1981).

Marshall A. Levin, Tracing the Birth Records of Adopted Persons, 7 [J.] FAM. L. 104 (1977).

Marshall A. Levin, The Adoption Trilemma: The Adult Adoptee’s Emerging Search for His Ancestral Identity, 8 U. BALT. L. REV. 496-518 (1979).

William. C. Lloyd III, Sealed Adoption Records: The Right to "No!", 1 J. LEGAL MED. 292-311 (1979).

Douglas S. Loomer, Sealed Adoption Records: Knowing and Noing, (Dec. 19, 1985) (visited 4/9/01) <http://www.epsplan.com/records/adoption.htm>.

Bobbi W.Y. Lum, Privacy v. Secrecy: The Open Adoption Records Movement and Its Impact on Hawai'i, 15 U. HAW. L. REV. 483 (Summer 1993).

Patricia Gallagher Lupack, Note, Sealed Records in Adoptions: The Need for Legislative Reform, 21 CATH. LAW. 211-228 (1975).

R.M., Case Notes: Adoption, 16 J. FAM. L. 615-622 (1977-1978).

Patricia Hill Manson, Confidentiality of Adoption Records: Can the Real Needs of the Adoptee be Satisfied?, 25 LOY. L. REV. 787-798 (1979).

Robert McClory, Who Am I?, 10 STUDENT LAWYER, 10-13, 32-34 (January 1982).

Sarah E. Nugent, Comment, The Release of Nonidentifying Information to Adopted Children: Striking a Balance Between the Rights of Biological Parents and Adopted Children, 23 RUTGERS L.J. 709-721 (1992).

Fergus Colm O'Donnell, The Four-Sided Triangle: A Comparative Study of the Confidentiality of Adoption Records, 21 U. WEST ONT. L. REV. 129-153 (1983).

Jackie L. Payne, Sr., Note, Adoptees: Have We Forgotten They Are Human Also?, 4 S.U.L. REV. 104-113 (1977).

William Pierce, Survey of State Laws and Legislation on Access to Adoption Records-1983, 10 FAM. L. REP. 3035-3041 (1984).

William Pierce, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania Enact Laws on Access to Adoption Records, 11 FAM. L. REP 1101 (1985).

Debra D. Poulin, The Open Adoption Records Movement: Constitutional Cases and Legislative Compromise, 26 J. FAM. LAW 395-418 (1987-1988).

Barbara Prager and Stanley A. Rothstein, Note, The Adoptee’s Right to Know His Natural Heritage, 19 N.Y.L.F. 137-156 (1973).

Claudine R. Reiss, The Fear of Opening Pandora’s Box: The Need to Restore Birth Parents’ Privacy Rights in the Adoption Process, 28 SW. U.L. REV. 133-156 (1998).

Carol G. Ricciardello, Adoptees’ Right To Identity -- A Ninth Amendment Approach To The Sealed Birth Certificate Statute, 27 S.D.L. REV. 122-135 (Winter 1981).

Alice L. Rokahr, The Plight of Adoptees, 31 S.D.L. REV. 710-725 (Summ. 1986).

Jeffrey Rosenberg, 1988 Survey of State Laws on Access to Adoption Records, 14 FAM. LAW REP. 3017-3027 (August 16, 1988).

Cynthia A. Rucker, Comment, Texas Adoption Laws and Adoptees’ Rights of Access to Confidential Records, 15 ST. MARY'S L.J. 153-183 (1983).

M. Christina Rueff, A Comparison of Tennessee’s Open Records Laws with Relevant Laws in Other English-Speaking Countries, 37 BRANDEIS L.J. 453-468 (1998-99).

Heidi A. Schneider, Adoption Contracts and the Adult Adoptee’s Right to Identity, 6 LAW & INEQ. 185-229 (1988).

Ruth Clement Sheppers, Note, Discovery Rights of the Adoptee -- Privacy of the Natural Parent: A Constitutional Dilemma, 4 SAN FERN. V.L. REV. 65-83 (1974).

Faye A. Silas, Reunions: Laws Open Adoption Records, A.B.A.J. 38 (Feb. 1984).

Susan E. Simanek, Adoption Records Reform: Impact on Adoptees, 67 MARQ. L. REV. 110-146 (Fall 1983).

Gregory R. Smith, In Re The Application of Annetta Louise Maples: The Adoptee’s Right to Know, 23 ST. LOUIS U.L.J. 731-746 (1979).

Nancy Sparks, Note, Adoption: Sealed Adoption Record Laws -- Constitutional Violation or a Need For Judicial Reform?, 35 OKLA. L. REV. 575-590 (1982).

Michael S. Speas, The Adoptee’s Right of Access to Sealed Adoption Records in North Carolina, 16 WAKE FOREST L. REV. 563-586 (August 1980).

Lawrence J. Spegar, H. 84: Adopted Persons’ Identity or Natural Parents’ Anonymity -- Ohio’s Compromise to the Adoption Records Controversy, 7 U. DAYTON L. REV. 759-780 (Summer 1986).

Alan W. Strasser, Adoption Search and Registry Laws of Vermont and New York: Whose Best Interest Is Being Served?, 28 SUFFOLK U.L. REV. 669-713 (Fall 1994).

Paul J. Tartanella, Note, Sealed Adoption Records and the Constitutional Right of Privacy of the Natural Parent, 34 RUTGERS L. REV. 451-490 (1982).

Desmond B. Tuck, Esq., The End of Adoption Secrecy is Nigh, 7 S.F.L. REV. 41-47 (1997).

J. Neville Turner, Review of Adoption Information Act 1990 (NSW), July 1992, 19 MONASH U.L. REV. 343-354 (1993).

Marilee C. Unruh, Comment, Adoptees’ Equal Protection Rights, 28 UCLA L. REV. 1314-1364 (1981).

Geraldine Van Bueren, Children’s Access to Adoption Records - State Discretion or an Enforceable International Right?, 58 MOD. L. REV. 37-53 (1995).

Wendy L. Weiss, Ohio House Bill 419: Increased Openness in Adoption Records Law, 45 CLEV. ST. L. REV. 101-133 (1997).

Adoptee vs. Cabbage Patch Kids, A.B.A.J. 38 (Feb. 1984).

Adopting a Cause, 52 HARV. L. SCH. BULL. (Spring 2001).

Adoption Secrecy Upheld In Key New York Ruling, NAT’L L.J., Nov. 20, 1978 at 2, col. 3.

Constitutional Law: Adult Adoptee’s Right to Confidential Adoption Records, 34 S.C.L. REV. 45 (1982).

Family Law Adoption Records, 1 AM. J. TRIAL ADVOC. 189-190 (1978).

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(This feature appeared in the Spring 2001 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)