If you spent time in foster care, you have the right to request your file.
Here’s how.
Each county and tribe in Minnesota keeps its own records, so your first step is to contact the county or tribe that handled your parents child protection case, in writing and keep a copy for yourself.
Find the mailing address for the county or tribal office here:
https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/about-dhs/contact-us/county-and-tribal-nation-offices/
When you write, include:
- Include a copy of your ID
- Your birth parents names
- The approximate years you were in care
- What information you’d like to see
You can see:
Per DCYF Bulletin 26-68-04, “When a person 18 years or older requests their own child foster care records, the following is provided to them”
- Social and Medical History
- Relative Search Lists
- Continuous Placement History
- All Out-of-Home Placement Plans
- All Service or Support Plans
- All Reports to Court
- Case Notes
- Notice of Foster Care Benefits Past Age 18
- Proof of Foster Care Placement Form
And also:
- Contact Information for Your Siblings (if they are in foster care)
- Any Lifebooks or Memory Books About You
- All documents you were legally entitled to receive for free while in care and when you aged out, including your birth certificate, Social Security card, and credit report. See the full list for details.
Quick Answers:
Do I need a lawyer to get my file?
No, All fosters have the legal right to request their records under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
You do NOT need a lawyer — just send a request to each county involved in your case.
Will I be able to learn everything I want to if I get my file?
Maybe, it depends on what you’re hoping to learn.
Some parts of your file will be blacked out (redacted). Sometimes it’s just last names, and other times whole pages are removed. The most common things you won’t see are names, contact info, and details about abusive situations.
There’s also a chance you might not get your file at all. Not every file is kept forever, and some are sealed by a court depending on your situation and your parents’ situation (more details in next answer).
If you do get your records, and there’s still things missing, check out the GET MISSING PIECES section for items you still need.
I might want my foster file in the future, but not now. Can I wait?
You can take time before deciding to read your records, but there is some urgency to request them.
In Minnesota, foster care records are not kept permanently if your parents’ rights were never ended (terminated). Your file will be destroyed 10 years after you leave foster care.
If you want to make sure you can access your records in the future, it’s best to request them now and save them in a box for yourself until you’re emotionally ready to look at them.
How long will it take to get my file back? How will I receive it?
Because each county and tribe in MN handles foster care record requests on their own, the process can look very different depending on where you lived. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get your records.
You might get them by mail or by email. If you don’t hear anything within 90 days, write or call to make sure they received your request.
Can I talk to the State instead of the County? My parents moved around a lot or I am not sure where they lived.
The State (DCYF) will direct you back to the counties as Minnesota is a county‑run, state‑administered system, and each county and tribe keeps its own records. You’ll need to contact every Minnesota county or tribal area where your parents lived, because each may hold a piece of your history.
However, if you need extra help, after you’ve connected with the county or tribe or if you’re not sure which county or tribe to contact, you can call Christine at Foster Adopt MN: 612‑746‑5135 or complete this form.
As a last step, you can also reach out to DCYF for support. https://dcyf.mn.gov/about-us/data-requests
If I don’t know anything about my birth parents, can I still request my foster file?
The less information you have, the more you’ll need to play detective. But you can still request records using whatever details you do know.
Your current name, the schools you went to, doctors or clinics you used, and places you lived are great starting points. Request as many records as you can, going as far back as possible, and piece things together as you get information.
Request your file with information you know today, and again in 6 months with the new information you learn from other sources.
Can I request online instead of in writing?
Hennepin County and Ramsey County let you request your records online. Other counties (as far as we know) still require a written request. You can call, but calling doesn’t give you a paper trail if they don’t respond, and you can’t send your ID that way. That’s why mailing a written request is the safest option.
Find the mailing address for the county office: https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/about-dhs/contact-us/county-and-tribal-nation-offices/.
How can I get a new ID or a copy of my ID to request my file?
If you need an ID, contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to get one or request a duplicate if yours is lost. Homeless youth under 24 years old can get a free standard identification (ID) card if they meet certain requirements, learn more.
Learn how to request your birth certificate, Social Security card, and other vital records.