Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Citizenship Clinic

Intake form used to obtain information and to determine eligibility for the Adoptees United Citizenship Clinic. Please complete it as best as you can.

Submission of information through this online form is considered confidential. Submission of information does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and me or Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC. As a matter of strict policy, Adoptee Rights Law Center and its clinic does not agree to represent clients without first securing a signed retainer agreement.

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.