Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

2022 Laws

Louisiana’s Equal Rights Law: FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

How a new equal rights law for Louisiana-born adult adopted people works.

Tennessee Dumps Its Contact Veto

First published on • Last updated on

Tennessee in 2022 eliminated its onerous and discriminatory contact veto, which had criminalized contact in the context of adoptions.

Vermont’s Equal Rights Law: A FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

How Vermont-born adoptees and their descendants can apply for copies of the adoptee’s own original birth certificate. A FAQ.

Arizona’s New Donut Hole Law: FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

The Arizona legislature enacted a new law in 2021 that blasted a hole into the middle of adoptee rights in the state. Whether you call that hole a gap, a pie hole, or a donut hole (as I do), it creates two unequal classes of adopted people in the state.

Utah’s Discriminatory Law: FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

How Utah’s new law will work, or more likely not work, for Utah-born adoptees who want their own original birth certificates.

Connecticut’s Equal Rights Law: FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

What Connecticut’s new law does and how adopted people and their descendants may apply for an original birth certificate.

Iowa’s New Redaction Law: FAQ

First published on • Last updated on

Where things stand today and how Iowa’s HF855 will work if it is ultimately enacted and implemented.

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.