9.7Accessibility of Nonidentifying Information
MCL 710.68 governs the accessibility of nonidentifying information. For a discussion on the compilation of nonidentifying information, see Section 9.2, and a list of the nonidentifying information to be compiled, see Section 5.5(A) (temporary placements) and Section 6.5(A) (formal placements).
“A child placing agency, a court, and the department may require a fee for supplying information under [MCL 710.68]. The fee shall be $60.00 or the actual cost of supplying the information, whichever is less. The child placing agency, court, or department may waive a part or all of the fee in case of indigency or hardship.” MCL 710.68(18).
The release of nonidentifying information applies to stepparent and relative adoptions. MCL 710.27(6); MCL 710.68(17).
A.Release to Adoptive Parent, Adult Adoptee, Former Parent, or Adult Former Sibling
“Within 63 days after a request for nonidentifying information is received, a child placing agency, a court, or the department shall provide in writing to the adoptive parent, adult adoptee, former parent, or adult former sibling requesting the information all of the nonidentifying information described in [MCL 710.27(1)] and [MCL 710.27(2)].” MCL 710.68(1). For a list of the nonidentifying information set out in MCL 710.27(1)-(2), see Section 5.5(A) (temporary placements) and Section 6.5(A) (formal placements).
B.Release to Adult Adoptee’s Direct Descendant
If an adult adoptee is deceased, the adoptee’s direct descendant may request the nonidentifying information. MCL 710.68(19). The child placing agency, the department, or the court must release to the direct descendant any information to which the deceased adult adoptee would have been entitled. Id.
“A child placing agency, a court or the department shall permit the child advocate to inspect adoption records in its possession in connection with an investigation authorized under the [Office of the Child Advocate Act, MCL 722.921-MCL 722.932]. The child advocate shall not disclose information obtained by an inspection under [MCL 710.68]. If the child advocate requires further information from an individual whose identity is protected in closed adoption records, the child advocate shall contact the individual discreetly and confidentially. The child advocate shall inform the individual that the individual’s participation in the investigation is confidential, is strictly voluntary, and will not alter or constitute a challenge to the adoption. The child advocate shall honor the individual’s request not to be contacted further.” MCL 710.68(20). For additional information on the child advocate, see MCL 722.923.