Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Iowa

Iowa’s New Redaction Law: FAQ

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

Crunch Week: What You Can Do

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Adoptee rights bills are being heard in numerous committees this week. Here’s what is on those agendas as well as recommended actions.

When the Biggest Opposition is a Pandemic

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Remaining genuine equal rights bills are trying to get attention while a pandemic closes down capitols. Here’s a legislative update.

Tell Iowa Reps: NO on SF621

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Contact members of the Iowa House of Representatives. Tell them to vote NO on SF621

Who Else Gets Your OBC?

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An Iowa bill has another problem: who actually gets the OBC? Everyone in the family, including the family dog? And which “family?”

Is This the Year for Iowa? No.

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Clean bills have made it out of the first legislative “funnel”—a deadline in Iowa for bills to be voted out of committee.

Legislative Update: Florida, New York and All Others

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The latest in adoptee rights legislation, with sessions just getting started, in full swing, or even close to adjournment. New York and Florida are the big ones but others hang on to the promise of clean.

Iowa

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Adoptee rights and Iowa law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

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.