This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/QFC.2ACE/711.22.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Adoption papers themselves are closed by the State. It requires and attorney to petition the court & a judge to determine the need to view the papers (a very costly endeavor). If you have a birthdate & you know the adopted person was born in Walworth CO you can look up the birth record that way which are open, even if you are not sure of the birth surname (process of elimination), this is how I found some of my adopted relatives infomation for them. OR If the person who was adpoted knows which agency did the adoption, they can go in person to that agency once they are 18 & sometimes they will give the info. What exactly is it that you are looking for? Perhaps I can help you more... ~Georgia