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Arizona Call to Action

Current Action (below) | Prior Actions

Current: Tweet to Arizona Representatives

The fight to defeat the discriminatory bills in Arizona is not over. Please continue to get the word out that adopted people, birthparents, adoptive parents, and our allies do not support SB1831 and HB2921. Here are pre-assembled tweets you can copy and paste into Twitter to help get the message across: NO on SB1831/HB2921.

Arizona State House Democrats

We need to convince enough House democrats to oppose SB1831/HB2921 so that it derails the bill’s consideration in the House.

Minority Leader Bolding (@reginaldbolding): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Butler (@KelliButlerAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Cano (@AndresCanoAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Chavez (@CesarChavezAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Dalessandro (@Dalessandro4AZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. DeGrazia (@DeGraziaforAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Epstein (@MitziEpstein): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Espinoza (@espinozadiego19): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Fernandez (@charleneforaz): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Friese (@DrRandyFriese): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Hernandez (@hernandezforaz): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Hernandez (@almaforarizona): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Hernandez, Jr. (@danielforaz): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Jermaine (@JennJermaine): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Lieberman (@aaron4az): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Longdon (@jenlongdon): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Meza (@AZRobertMeza): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Pawlik (@Jennifer_Pawlik): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Powers Hannley (@P2Hannley): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Rodriguez (@Diego4Justice): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Salman (@AthenaSalman): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Schwiebert (@JudyForAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Shah (@DrAmishShah): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Sierra (@Sierra4AZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Stahl Hamilton (@hamilton4house): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Teran (@RaquelTeran): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Rep. Tsosie (@MyronTsosieLD7): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose HB2921. Please vote NO on HB2921. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZHB2921 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Completed Actions

Tweet to Arizona State Senators

Despite our best efforts, the Arizona Senate on June 24 passed SB1831 by a vote of 17-13, nearly entirely on party lines. The bill actually garnered less support this time then when an identical bill passed earlier in the session. This action alert is no longer active.

Sen. Alston (@LelaAlstonAz) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which the Governor vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Barto (@NancyBarto): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Borrelli (@SonnyBorrelli): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Bowie (@seanbowie): Most @AZSenateDems said NO to HB2070 (later vetoed). 38 organizations as well as hundreds of adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents ALL oppose the reintroduced #SB1831. Please reconsider your position and vote NO on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Boyer (@BoyerAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Contreras (@sencontreras) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Engel (@EngelForArizona): The @AZSenateDems said NO to HB2070 (later vetoed). 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents ALL oppose a reintroduced #SB1831. Please reconsider your position and vote NO on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Senate President Fann (@FannKfann): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please withdraw #SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Gabaldon (@RosannaGabaldon) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was also vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Gonzales (@GonzalesSally) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Gowan (@DavidGowanAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Gray (@RickGray): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Kerr (@SineKerr): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Leach (@VinceLeach): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Livingston (@livingstonld22): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Marsh (@ChristinePMarsh) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Mendez (@MendezforAZ) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Mesnard (@JDMesnard): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Navarrete (@NavarreteAZ) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Otondo (@SenOtondo): Nearly all @AZSenateDems said NO to HB2070 (later vetoed). 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents ALL oppose a reintroduced #SB1831. Please reconsider your position and vote NO on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Pace (@TylerPaceAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Peshlakai (@Jamescita) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Petersen (@votewarren): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Senator Quezada has already committed to vote NO in response to our actions.

Sen. Rios (@Rios_Rebecca) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Shope (@TJShopeforAZ): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Steele (@VictoriaLSteele) πŸ™πŸ½ Thank you for voting no on HB2070, which was later vetoed. Today 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831, the reintroduced bill. Please vote NO AGAIN on #SB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Townsend (@AZKellyT): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Sen. Ugenti-Rita (@MichelleUgenti): 38 organizations representing adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents and allies ALL oppose SB1831. Please vote NO on SB1831. It does not represent the interests of those who actually live adoption #NoAZSB1831 https://adopteerightslaw.com/38-organizations-say-no-to-discriminatory-arizona-bills/

Endorse a Joint Letter in Opposition

This call to action is now complete. Thank you to everyone who endorsed the letter. It was delivered to all 90 Arizona legislators, and you can find more information about it here.

Background: Two new bills have been introduced late in the 2021 Arizona legislative session. If enacted, the bills will create a new β€œdonut-hole” in the state, prohibiting Arizona-born adopted people born between June 1968 and January 2022 from requesting and obtaining their own original birth certificate. While Arizona Governor Doug Ducey vetoed an identical less than a month ago, a hyperpartisan Arizona legislature has introduced new bills to get around the veto.

The discriminatory language of SB1831 and its identical House bill HB2921.

Final Joint Letter

Final Letter. The final letter, with more than 200 endorsements and nearly 40 state and national (and international) organizations is here. Signatures are now closed and I sent the letter to legislators on June 16.

RE: NO on SB1831/HB2921

To All Arizona State Senators and Representatives:

We are Arizona-born adoptees, Arizona residents, birthparents, adoptive parents, and allies for adoptee rights. Along with the following state and national adoptee rights and adoption-reform organizations, we oppose SB1831 and HB2921. These bills will arbitrarily divide Arizona-born adoptees into two unequal classes, based solely on an adopted person’s date of birth. 

Despite a vastly overstated fiscal cost of more than $3 million over the next ten years, the bills will ultimately benefit a tiny number of adopted peopleβ€”while denying the vast majority of Arizona-born adoptees the right to obtain their own original birth certificates. These bills are costly, discriminatory, and regressive. They do not represent the best interests of adopted people, their families, or the thousands of Arizona constituents impacted by adoption.

We ask that you do not support these bills and vote NO on SB1831 and HB2921.


Share This Image

Share this image on social media, with the simple message that you do not support SB1831/HB2921 and to call o Arizona legislators to reject the bills.

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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.

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The OBC: Maps

US OBC Rights Placeholder
US OBC Rights
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state also allows birth parents to file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to access their original birth certificates. A birth parent may file a contact preference form but it has no effect or restriction on the right of adult adoptees to receive their OBCs. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state also allows birth parents to file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to access their original birth certificates. A birth parent may file a contact preference form but it has no effect or restriction on the right of adult adoptees to receive their OBCs. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.

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The OBC: Numbers

10unrestricted
24compromised
17restricted
51View All

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I also monitor federal legislation related to intercountry adoptees.

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

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