Non-Identifying Information

An adoptive parent, adoptee, or birth parent may request non-identifying information from the court where the adoption was filed.

RCW 26.33.340 Department, agency & Court Files Confidential - Limited Disclosure of Information


Department, agency, and court files regarding an adoption shall be confidential except that reasonably available non-identifying information may be disclosed upon the written request for the information from the adoptive parent, the adoptee, or the birth parent. If the adoption facilitator refuses to disclose non-identifying information, the individual may petition the superior court. Identifying information may also be disclosed through the procedure described in RCW 26.33.343.

Request for Non-Identifying Adoption Information


The Spokane County Clerk does provide a form to request Non-Identifying Adoption Information for cases filed in Spokane Superior Court. The request form must be filled out and mailed to the Spokane County Clerk. It requires:
  • The requestor's signature be notarized
  • All available known information regarding the adoption case
  • A $30 special services fee
(Non-identifying information will not be provided over the telephone or by email.)

The Non-Identifying Adoption Information (PDF) request will be reviewed by the Court and information approved or denied. Please be advised, not all adoption files contain the information below.

Non-identifying information includes, but is not limited to, the following information about the birth parent, adoptive parents, and adoptee: (RCW 26.33.020(14))
  • Age in years at the time of adoption
  • Heritage, including nationality, ethnic background, and race
  • Education, including number of years of school completed at the time of adoption, but not name or location of school
  • General physical appearance, including height, weight, color of hair, eyes, and skin, or other information of similar nature
  • Religion
  • Occupation, but not specific titles or places of employment
  • Talents, hobbies, and special interests
  • Circumstances leading to the adoption
  • Medical and genetic history of birth parents
  • First names
  • Other children of birth parents by age, sex, and medical history
  • Extended family of birth parents by age, sex, and medical history
  • The fact of the death, and age and cause, if known
  • Photographs
  • Name of agency or individual that facilitated the adoption