In re Adoption of Baby S.

COOK, J.S.C.

Should the records of an adoption proceeding that took place over fifty-five years ago be unsealed to permit the biological mother to inspect and copy them, and thereby obtain identifying information about the adoptee and his adoptive family? Previous reported decisions in this State all have involved requests by adoptees to unseal. See e.g., Matter of Adoption of Mellinger, 288 N.J.Super. 191, 672 A.2d 197 (App.Div.1996) (request by adult adoptee of native American descent for disclosure of the names of her natural parents); Backes v. Catholic Family and Community Services, 210…