Indiana does not provide adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. While a new law, not yet in effect, may expand access to identifying information, requests for information is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and/or redaction.
Illinois
Illinois does not provide all adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. The state uses tiered-access and redactions to limit unrestricted access to certain adult adoptees.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania denies adult adoptees unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. The state allows birthparents to request redaction of their names from the original birth certificate.
Ohio
While Ohio law has settled down a bit after legislative reforms in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain for adult adoptees seeking their OBCs. The state has redaction provisions, diclosure vetoes, and a tiered-system of access that breaks down adoptee rights by the date of adoption.
New Jersey
New Jersey is best described as a “fixed” partial restriction state. Because of disclosure vetoes, approximately 550 adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. All other adult adoptees in New Jersey have unrestricted access.
Missouri
Missouri law does not give adult adoptees unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective January 1, 2018, provides access to an original birth certificate subject to significant restrictions, including birthparent vetoes and redactions.
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.
Arkansas
Adult adoptees in Arkansas do not currently have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. A new law, not yet effective, will change this and allow access, but requests by an adult adoptee will be subject to birth parent redaction requests. Requesting the file will also cost $100.
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.