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Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adoptees

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About

I am a lawyer. I work exclusively for adult adopted people.

Profile image of adoptee rights lawyer Gregory Luce

I help adult adopted people navigate legal challenges in obtaining their own original birth certificates, securing U.S. citizenship, and seeking information to which they are entitled. I also work to develop broader legal strategies to challenge and upend a legal framework that frequently operates to deny adopted people their basic and fundamental rights.

My work involves four primary areas:

  • Sealed original birth certificates and court records. I have been successful in unsealing court records and obtaining court orders in Minnesota to release original birth certificates, court records, and—in some cases—adoption agency records. This practice, however, is limited solely to adoptions finalized in Minnesota.
  • Citizenship for intercountry adoptees. I represent intercountry adoptees on issues related to U.S. citizenship, whether naturalization, renewing legal permanent residency status, or obtaining proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certificate of citizenship or U.S passport. Practice limited solely to federal immigration law.
  • Legislative strategy and action. I track adoptee rights legislation across the country and support efforts that will lead to an unrestricted right of an adult adopted person to request and obtain his or her own original birth certificate. I am an ally for legislative efforts related to passage of the Adoptee Citizenship Act.
  • Coalition work with other adoptee rights organizations. I am the president of Adoptee United Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to securing identity rights, U.S. citizenship, and equality for all adult adopted people. The Adoptee Rights Law Center is a founding member of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, the Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights, and the Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition.

—Gregory D. Luce, Founder/Attorney


Current and Ongoing Projects
United States of OBC

I track all of the state laws that restrict—or don’t restrict—the right to obtain an original birth certificate. See the results here or view interactive maps I’ve created.

Legislative Updates

I monitor legislation across the country and in the U.S. Congress that relates to an original birth certificate as well as to citizenship issues for intercountry adoptees.

OBC Flowcharts

I am creating flowcharts for each state to show how complicated or simple it is to obtain an original birth certificate. Here’s an example.

Legal Representation

This is the core of what I do. I represent adoptees and descendants who seek records or other information from Minnesota courts, agencies, or archives. I also represent intercountry adoptees across the country who need legal help in securing or proving US citizenship.

Past Projects
OBC Tracker

I surveyed hundreds of adoptees to determine the rate of success or failure in getting an OBC. Read more about the project here, and I roll out state-specific data when it helps in state legislative issues.


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Adoptee Rights Law Center

The Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC is an adoptee-focused legal practice founded by Gregory Luce, a Minnesota lawyer and D.C.-born adoptee.

Contact Me

Legal representation limited to issues involving Minnesota law and federal immigration law.

Latest Posts

  • Bill Actions for the First Week of March
  • A Brief History of Florida Adoptee Rights
  • Crunch Week: What You Can Do
  • American Baby and the Punishing Secrecy of Adoption
  • Why I Changed Hawaii’s Status

Contact Info

Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
PO Box 19561
Minneapolis Minnesota 55419
T: (612) 221-3947
E: [email protected]

Legal representation limited to issues involving Minnesota law and federal immigration law.

The OBC: Numbers

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22compromised
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51View All

The OBC: Maps

Legislative Tracking

I also monitor federal legislation related to intercountry adoptees.

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Recent Posts

  • Bill Actions for the First Week of March
  • A Brief History of Florida Adoptee Rights
  • Crunch Week: What You Can Do

Contact

Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
Gregory D. Luce
PO Box 19561
Minneapolis Minnesota 55419
T: (612) 221-3947
E: [email protected]

Legal representation limited to issues involving Minnesota law and federal immigration law.

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New York Adoptee Rights Coalition

Adoptee Rights Law Center is part of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, a group of organizations committed to enactment of unrestricted OBC access legislation in New York. Join Us

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