I have a parent that was adopted under a closed adoption. Can you, as their child, open the adoption files after the parent has died? I would like to be able to locate my grandparents as I have no real family left.

Generally closed adoptions STAY closed, unless there is medical cause for the courts to open them.

You can certainly start a search--several websites have adoption search/match areas. ISSR, Adoption.com, and adoption.org are 3 of my favorites.

However, I don't believe that you can leave messages at the adoption agency or the court house on behalf of your parent, even though your parent is deceased.

There is also the possibility of hiring someone to do your search for you, but that could get expensive very fast.

I realize that you are searching for a family link--but what if your biological grandparents want nothing to do with you? And remember--you'd be bringing news that their child is dead to them, and it's a LOT easier to live as a birthparent by believing that your child is well and happy and healthy. Then again, some people would be overjoyed to acquire grandchildren. But... you have NO idea how these people will act towards you invading their lives. My advice if you decide to start searching is to always approach through a third party, and to really have NO expectations of them.

Good luck!