Nevada law does not provide adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. Access to an OBC in Nevada is available only by court order.
Michigan
Michigan is a donut hole state. It divides access to original birth certificates by date of birth, with those born between 1945 and 1980 the big losers. Find out more about Michigan’s complicated and deeply flawed system.
Maryland
Since 1937, Maryland has denied adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. OBCs are currently available only by court order. Adoptees who are at least 21 years of age and whose adoptions were finalized on or after January 1, 2000, may request their original birth certificates. Birth parents, however, may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information.
Maine
Adult adoptees in Maine have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine allows a birth parent to file a contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate.
Louisiana
Adult adoptees in Louisiana do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adult adoptee in Louisiana must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate.
Iowa
Adult adoptees in Iowa do not have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order to release any information.
Arkansas
Adult adoptees in Arkansas do not currently have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. A new law, effective August 1, 2018, will change this, but requests by an adult adoptee 21 years or over will be subject to birthparent redaction. In addition, the cost to request the “adoption file” will be $100.
Connecticut
Only adult adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after October 1, 1983, have unrestricted access to their birth certificates. All other adult adoptees must obtain a court order—contingent upon the consent or death of birth parents— to obtain their original birth certificates.
Idaho
Adult adoptees in Idaho do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. Access 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.
Georgia
Adult adoptees in Georgia do not have access to their original birth certificates, except by court order.