Connecticut’s Equal Rights Law: FAQ

On July 1, 2021, Connecticut became the tenth state in the United States to secure or restore the right of all adopted people to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Here’s what the 2021 law does and how Connecticut-born adoptees and their descendants can apply for a copy of the adopted person’s original birth certificate.

Does this mean I can get my own original birth certificate?

Yes, yes it does. 🙂 No matter the date of birth or adoption, all Connecticut-born adopted people now have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Previously, the law had limited who could request and obtain the OBC based on the person’s date of birth (those born prior to October 1, 1983 were generally left out). The date-based limitation has now been repealed and the law applies to all adopted people and their descendants. The heart of the law is contained in this provision and may actually answer most of your initial questions:

Upon written request, the registrar of vital statistics of the municipality of an adopted person’s birth shall, not later than thirty days after such written request, issue an uncertified copy of an original certificate of birth to (1) such adopted person if he or she is eighteen years of age or older or (2) such adopted person’s child or grandchild, provided such child or grandchild is eighteen years of age or older.

How old do I have to be to request my own OBC?

You must be at least 18 years of age to request your own original birth certificate.

How and where do I apply?

You must apply in writing at the town or municipal vital records registrar where you were born. This is a change in the law. Prior to July 1, 2021, the state department of public health handled requests for a copy of the original birth certificate. The form to use to apply for an OBC is here (or click the button below).

I don’t know or remember the town in Connecticut where I was born. How can I find that?

Good question, and this will likely receive the most attention as this new law rolls out. Your town of birth may be listed on your amended (post-adoption) birth certificate. If it is not listed on the amended birth record or in any information available to you—and you do not know your town or city of birth—consider contacting the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. According to that agency:

• The Department of Children and Families, Office of Foster Care and Adoption Services, has a master database that lists all adoptions, both public and private, which have occurred in Connecticut since 1944. Information can be obtained by calling 860-550-6582, writing DCF Search Unit, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or e-mailing the Search Unit at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families at [email protected]
• If the adoption was completed prior to 1944, the adoptee can directly contact the Probate Court that was involved in the adoption finalization.

How do I find information for my town vital records registrar?

The Connecticut Department of Health provides a directory of the vital records offices in each of the 169 towns in the state. You can find that directory here.

Can I apply for an OBC from the state department of health?

No, the law is clear that you must apply for the OBC with the “registrar of vital statistics of the municipality of an adopted person’s birth.”

Who else can apply for the OBC other than the adopted person?

A child or grandchild of an adopted person may also apply for and obtain the adopted person’s original birth certificate, so long as the child or grandchild is at least 18 years of age. The adopted person does not need to be deceased for the person’s descendant to request a copy of the OBC. Proof of the relationship to the adopted person must be provided with the application.

How much does it cost to apply?

The fee for applying for a copy of the original pre-adoption birth record is $65.00, which unfortunately is more than three times the amount non-adopted people must pay for certified copies of their own birth records.

Can I apply for my OBC online?

I am not aware of the ability to apply for the original birth record through an online vital records system, such as VitalChek. Applications generally must be mailed in or dropped off with payment at the town registrar’s office. If this changes this FAQ will be updated.

How long will it take to get the copy of the original birth certificate?

The new law requires a thirty day period for the town vital records office to send a copy of the OBC to you once you submit your application.

Will any information on the original birth certificate be changed or removed?

No. The law does not allow for anyone to change or remove information from the original birth record.

Will I get a certified copy of the original birth certificate?

No, the copy of the original birth record will be uncertified. This part of the law has not changed. It also specifically provides that:

Such certificate shall be marked with a notation by the issuer that such original certificate of birth has been superseded by a replacement certificate of birth as on file.

Is there a state or local group involved with this new law?

Yes. A state group called Access Connecticut worked to change the law and is working to help Connecticut adoptees navigate the new application process. The Access Connecticut website is here and its own general FAQ is here.

Where can I read the text of the new law?

You can find the relevant portions of the law here on Adoptee Rights Law Center, which has been updated to reflect changes.

Will you be updating this FAQ when necessary?

Yes, I will update this FAQ if more information becomes available or if information changes or needs corrections based on what I currently understand about implementation of the new law.

Have you updated your map yet?

Yes, yes I have. Here ya go (it’s actually updated continuously):

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. Colorado-born adult adopted people 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. Adopted people born born in Hawaii 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. All Louisiana-born adopted people, at age 24, have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective August 1, 2022, restored this right. 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. The Bay State became the 12th state in the U.S. to affirm or restore the right of all Massachusetts-born adult adopted people to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates.  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. Montana maintains a somewhat complex tiered system that uses an adoptee’s date of adoption as the determinant of whether an adopted person may obtain their own original birth certificate. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are at least 30 years of age, 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. A 2020 law overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy. 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 adopted people and their descendants 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 the record. 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 born in South Dakota have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their original birth certificates. It became the fourteenth state in the United States to affirm or restore such a right, effective July 1, 2023. 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. Release of the OBC to a Texas-born adult adopted person requires a court order, with one significant exception:  adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and know the names of their birthparents may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC upon request. 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 birth records, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.

Vermont. Vermont-born adult adopted have an unrestricted right to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. It became the thirteenth state in the United States to affirm or restore such a right, effective July 1, 2023. 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.

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. Colorado-born adult adopted people 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. Adopted people born born in Hawaii 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. All Louisiana-born adopted people, at age 24, have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective August 1, 2022, restored this right. 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. The Bay State became the 12th state in the U.S. to affirm or restore the right of all Massachusetts-born adult adopted people to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates.  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. Montana maintains a somewhat complex tiered system that uses an adoptee’s date of adoption as the determinant of whether an adopted person may obtain their own original birth certificate. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are at least 30 years of age, 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. A 2020 law overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy. 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 adopted people and their descendants 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 the record. 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 born in South Dakota have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their original birth certificates. It became the fourteenth state in the United States to affirm or restore such a right, effective July 1, 2023. 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. Release of the OBC to a Texas-born adult adopted person requires a court order, with one significant exception:  adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and know the names of their birthparents may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC upon request. 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 birth records, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.

Vermont. Vermont-born adult adopted have an unrestricted right to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. It became the thirteenth state in the United States to affirm or restore such a right, effective July 1, 2023. 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.