Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Gregory D. Luce

Legislation: Where We Stand, What You Can Do

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As we move into a critical period in many state legislative sessions—and as the U.S. Congress essentially moves forward with a new session—here’s where we stand and what all of us can do today.

The (Ongoing) Truth About Florida

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This time, I will jump in a frozen Minnesota lake and donate $500 to charity if I am wrong.

Bill Actions for the First Week of March

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Bills in Arizona, Idaho, and Tennessee are up for consideration in committee this week, plus bills in Iowa and Mississippi are facing critical deadlines.

A Brief History of Florida Adoptee Rights

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The updated report covers the beginning of Florida adoption law in 1885 and provides a more than 100-year timeline of adoptee rights in the state.

Crunch Week: What You Can Do

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Adoptee rights bills are being heard in numerous committees this week. Here’s what is on those agendas as well as recommended actions.

American Baby and the Punishing Secrecy of Adoption

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American Baby weaves truth into the adoptions that predominated the second half of the twentieth century, a time of locked down records, secret transactions, and abusive experimentation.

Why I Changed Hawaii’s Status

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Hawai’i has been reclassified as a state with compromised rights for adult adoptees. Here’s why.

What Happens When You Question Adoption

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The politicization of the Barretts’ adoptions from Haiti—which they’ve clearly politicized themselves—highlights the rift between concept and reality in intercountry adoption.

What’s an Original Birth Certificate?

Most adopted persons know what an original birth certificate (OBC) is. Many non-adopted people do not. An original birth certificate is the initial birth certificate created shortly after a person's birth. For most people, it is their only birth certificate.

For persons born and adopted in the United States, a new or "amended" birth certificate replaces the OBC once the adoption is final. In addition to replacing the original, the names of the birth parents are also replaced with the names of the adoptive parents. Some states may also alter or omit additional information on a new certificate, including the adoptee's specific place of birth.

Depending on state law, an original birth certificate is sealed and remains unavailable to the adopted person, even when they become an adult. If you are not adopted, your original birth certificate is your only birth certificate---and it is always available to you upon request.