Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

A5036B

Contact Governor Cuomo Today

First published on • Last updated on

You can tweet, post, yell, pray, or fill out an online form. But it’s now best to call. Tell Gov. Cuomo to veto A53036B.

Let’s Do Some New York Math

First published on • Last updated on

I preface this by saying, “My God, New York legislators, did you not even think to determine the financial impact of this terrible bill?”

New York’s Bad Bill

First published on • Last updated on

With questions about New York’s not-an-OBC access bill, I thought I’d set out what the bill actually does—or actually fails to do for adoptee rights.

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.