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Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

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Unrestricted

Unrestricted means an adult adoptee may apply for and obtain an original birth certificate without any discriminatory restrictions or conditions, other than following regular procedures for obtaining a state vital record. Nine states in the United States currently recognize an adult adoptee’s unrestricted right to the OBC.

Last updated on January 14, 2020

Requesting an Original Birth Certificate

How, when, and where adult adopted people may currently order copies of their own original birth certificates in the unrestricted OBC states.

Last updated on May 1, 2019

What I Mean When I Mean Clean

Bug splattered on an otherwise clean car windshield

Clean should always be the default, while dirty is the defined term, the aberration.

Last updated on January 20, 2022

Rhode Island

Detail from map of Rhode Island

Adult adoptees in Rhode Island have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. You must be 25 years of age to request an OBC.

Last updated on April 6, 2017

Oregon

Detail from Oregon Road Map

Adoptees in Oregon who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to access their original birth certificates. A birth parent may file a contact preference form but it has no effect or restriction on the right of adult adoptees to receive their OBCs.

Last updated on January 3, 2022

New York

Detail of New York road map

Until November 14, 2019, New York was one of the most restrictive states in the country for releasing an OBC. That has now completely changed.

Last updated on January 20, 2022

New Hampshire

Detail from New Hampshire road map

New Hampshire law gives adoptees who are at least 18 years of age unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. The state also allows birth parents to file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs.

Last updated on February 9, 2022

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.

Last updated on October 24, 2020

Kansas

Adult adoptees in Kansas have always had unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request.

Last updated on April 23, 2022

Colorado

Detail from Colorado road map

After years of legislation that has often been confusing and included birthparent vetoes, it is believed that Colorado now provides adult adoptees with unrestricted access to their original birth certificates through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

Last updated on January 3, 2022

Connecticut

Detail from Connecticut road map

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.

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Contact

Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
Gregory D. Luce
PO Box 19561
Minneapolis Minnesota 55419
T: (612) 221-3947
E: [email protected]

Legal representation limited to issues involving Minnesota law and federal immigration law.

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New York Adoptee Rights Coalition

Adoptee Rights Law Center is part of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition, a group of organizations committed to enactment of unrestricted OBC access legislation in New York. Join Us

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