Adoptee Rights Law

Legal representation and advocacy for adoptees

Disclosure Veto

A disclosure veto legally allows a birth parent to deny the release of an OBC or to redact identifying information on the OBC. It can also be called an affidavit of nondisclosure or a corrupt contact preference form.

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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.

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Delaware

Delaware law denies adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their original birth certificates, birth parents may legally veto release of OBCs.

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Minnesota

Minnesota law does not provide adult adoptees with unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Access to OBCs in Minnesota is ridiculously complex and based primarily on the date of adoption and whether a birth parent objects to disclosure.

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Oklahoma

Currently, nearly all adult adoptees in Oklahoma must obtain a court order and show good cause for the release of an original birth certificate. An exception exists to this requirement for adoptions finalized after November 1, 1997.