Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Adoptee Citizenship Act

Congress Introduces the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024

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Congress has introduced the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024, continuing the fight to secure US citizenship for all adopted people brought to the United States for adoption.

We Can Do This (Because We Must)

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What’s to do after Congress failed yet again to fix US citizenship for intercountry adoptees? Our own work.

Latest on Citizenship for Intercountry Adoptees

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A stripped down version of the Adoptee Citizenship Act has passed the House. But it’s not the actual ACA. It’s now an amendment to a much larger and unrelated bill.

Immigration Provisions in the Build Back Better Bill

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The Build Back Better bill contains provisions that could help millions of undocumented people, including some intercountry adoptees, though its impact is limited.

My Name is Monica Ross

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I need your support to get the Adoptee Citizenship Act enacted. Support me and the thousands of other intercountry adoptees who are in the same situation.

Sign Up: National Week of Action

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Take action—a full week of action. I’m launching a National Week of Action and encouraging you—my friends, allies, and colleagues—to join me.

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.