Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Gregory D. Luce

Immigration Proclamation: What You Need to Know

First published on • Last updated on

The American Immigration Lawyers Association has released the following information about the recent Presidential Proclamation related to suspension of certain immigration classes to the United States.

How Will COVID-19 Issues Affect Me?

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Overview of COVID-19 issues that may impact adopted people beyond the immediate threat to a person’s health, community, and economic safety.

I Wrote to Governor Herbert. You Should Too

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Let’s do one thing: convince Utah Governor Gary Herbert to veto HB345, a discriminatory and regressive bill.

When the Biggest Opposition is a Pandemic

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Remaining genuine equal rights bills are trying to get attention while a pandemic closes down capitols. Here’s a legislative update.

Advocates Ask for Wisconsin Bill to Die

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Five state and national adoptee rights organizations have requested that Wisconsin legislators set aside two bills that were recently heard in Senate and Assembly committees.

Join Me As I Update the Adoptee Rights Map

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On January 15, 2020, at 12:01am I will update the adoptee rights map to show the unrestricted status of New York. Wanna be there when I do?

Requesting an Original Birth Certificate

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How, when, and where adult adopted people may currently order copies of their own original birth certificates in the unrestricted OBC states.

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.