Finding information about adoptions can be one of the more challenging research tasks due to limited information and Minnesota Laws concerning adoption.
If the adoption occurred 100 years ago or earlier, the information is public; if the adoption occurred less than 100 years ago the records may be restricted.
As of July 2024, adopted people born in Minnesota who are 18 or older can request and receive noncertified copies of their original birth records. If the adopted person is deceased, their legal representative or certain people related to the adopted person can request the records. These records are only available through the Minnesota Department of Health and cannot be acquired through MNHS.
Adoption resources housed in the Minnesota Historical Society collections include:
Court Records- birth records and civil case files in the records of the court where the adoption occurred
Orphanage Records- adoption records pertaining to specific institutions where mothers or adopted children stayed
Birth Records- in Minnesota People Records Search and in the records of individual counties
Books and Articles- about adoption in Minnesota
Katie Jean Davey
Reference Librarian
Tracey Baker
Reference Librarian
Gale Family Library
Minnesota Historical Society Library
Located on the Second Floor of the Minnesota History Center
345 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
Library Hours:
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday to Wednesday: Closed
More Information on Visiting the Library
Contact Us:
651-259-3300
