Adoption records are considered confidential and can only be released _____.

Adoption records are treated with a high level of confidentiality to protect the privacy and rights of all parties involved. The correct answer highlights that disclosure of these records is governed by legal procedures established by the state. Each state has its own laws dictating how adoption records can be accessed, who is permitted to access them, and under what circumstances. This means that any request for the release of adoption records must comply with these specific legal regulations.

Many states require that individuals seeking access to such records must go through a formal legal process, which could involve petitions to the court or approval from the adoption agency, ensuring that the release of information is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner. This legal framework is in place to safeguard the sensitive information contained in adoption records, balance the interests of the biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the adopted individuals, and uphold the principle of confidentiality in adoption practices.