Minn. R. Adop. P. 7.08
Subd. 1. Adoptions Prior to August 1, 1977. A person adopted prior to August 1, 1977, may petition the court for disclosure of the original birth record. The petition shall include information necessary for the court to make the decision required in subdivision 2. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 259.89, for adoptions occurring prior to August 1, 1977, and after consideration of the interests of all known persons involved, if the biological parent is deceased and the court determines that disclosure of the birth record information would be of greater benefit than nondisclosure, the court shall grant the petition and order the Commissioner of Health to disclose identifying information including the name of the biological parent on the original birth record.
Subd. 2. Adoptive Placements After August 1, 1982. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 259.83 for adoptive placements made on or after August 1, 1982, and after consideration of the interests of all known persons involved, if a living biological parent has filed an unrevoked affidavit objecting to the release of identifying information and the court determines that disclosure of the birth record information would be of greater benefit than nondisclosure, the court shall grant the petition and order the agency responsible for supervising the adoptive placement to disclose identifying information retained by the agency including the name of the biological parent, the biological parent's last known address, the birth date, and birth place of the biological parent named on the adopted person's original birth record.
Minn. R. Adop. P. 7.08
In many situations where adult adopted persons seek information about their adoptions including the names of biological parents, the Department of Health or the agency responsible for supervising the adoptive placement have legal authority to release the requested information. The instances where the Department of Health and responsible agencies do not have such legal authority are covered by Rule 7.08. .