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Last updated on January 3, 2022

Michigan

Summary

Michigan is one of several donut hole states, which divides access to original birth certificates by the date of birth or adoption of the adoptee. In Michigan, those in the middle (i.e., the donut hole) lose.

Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order.

Here’s how donut hole birthday access breaks down. Keep in mind that, no matter when you were born, you must first go through the state’s registry to obtain permission to access your identifying information:

Draft Michigan legislation that would eliminate the “donut hole” and establish equality for all adult adoptees in the state.

  • Adoptees born on or after May 28, 1945, but before September 12, 1980: not entitled to the original birth certificate except by court order. May use the registry to find identifying information but does not include any access to the original birth certificate;
  • Adoptees born before May 28, 1945: entitled to the original birth certificate but only if a birth parent does not veto disclosure;
  • Adoptees born on or after September 12, 1980: entitled to the original birth certificate but only if a birth parent does not veto disclosure;

The process is actually a tad more complicated. If an adoptee born outside of the donut hole years is successful through the registry process, the registry provides a “clearance form” for the adoptee to use to request his or her OBC. A clearance form must be provided to the court to request an original birth certificate from the court.

Relevant Michigan Law: Original Birth Certificate

Section 333.2831 New certificate of birth; establishment; requirements.
The state registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for an individual born in this state when the registrar receives the following:

(a) A report of adoption as provided in section 2829, a report of adoption prepared and filed under the laws of another state or foreign country, or a certified copy of the adoption order, together with the information necessary to identify the original certificate of birth and to establish a new certificate of live birth. However, a new certificate of live birth shall not be established if so requested by the court ordering the adoption; the adopting parent; or the adoptee, if the adoptee is an adult.

(b) A request that a new certificate be established and the evidence required by the department proving that the individual’s paternity has been established.

(c) A request that a new certificate be established to show a sex designation other than that designated at birth. The request shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a physician certifying that sex-reassignment surgery has been performed.

Section 333.2832. New certificate of birth; actual place and date of birth to be shown; substitution for original certificate; inspection; restoration of original certificate upon notice of annulment or rescission of adoption; preparing new certificate on delayed birth certificate form; sealing or forwarding original certificate
(1) When a new certificate of live birth is established, the actual place and date of birth shall be shown. The new certificate shall be substituted for the original certificate of live birth. Thereafter, the original certificate and the evidence of adoption or sex designation are not subject to inspection except as otherwise provided in section 2882(2) or (3) or upon a court order. Evidence in support of other birth record changes is subject to inspection as provided in sections 2882 and 2883.

(2) Upon receipt of notice of annulment of adoption or a copy of an order of rescission, the original certificate of live birth shall be restored to its place in the files. The certificate created under subsection (1) is not subject to inspection except upon a court order.

(3) If a certificate of live birth is not on file for the individual for whom a new live birth certificate is to be established under section 2831, a new live birth certificate may be prepared on the delayed birth certificate form in use at the time of adoption, legitimation, or paternity determination.

(4) When a new certificate of live birth is established by the state registrar, all copies of the original certificate of birth in the custody of a custodian of permanent records in this state shall be sealed from inspection or forwarded to the state registrar, as the state registrar directs.

Section 333.2882. Issuance of certain certified copies; request; fee; request of adopted adult or confidential intermediary; phrase to be marked on certificate provided under subsection (2) or (3)
(1) Except as otherwise provided in section 2890, upon written request and payment of the prescribed fee, the state registrar or local registrar shall issue the appropriate 1 of the following:

(a) A certified copy of a live birth record, an affidavit of parentage filed after June 1, 1997, or a certificate or other record of stillbirth filed after June 1, 2003 to 1 of the following:

(i) The individual who is the subject of the record.
(ii) A parent named in the record.
(iii) An heir, a legal representative, or a legal guardian of the individual who is the subject of the record.
(iv) A court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) If the live birth record is 100 or more years old, a certified copy of the live birth record to any applicant.

(c) A certified copy of a death record, including the cause of death, to any applicant.

(d) A certified copy of a marriage or divorce record to any applicant, except as provided by rule.

(e) A certified copy of a fetal death record that was filed before September 30, 1978, to any applicant.

(2) Upon written request of an adult who has been adopted and payment of the prescribed fee, the state registrar shall issue to that individual a copy of his or her original certificate of live birth, if the written request identifies the name of the adult adoptee and is accompanied by a copy of a central adoption registry clearance reply form that was completed by the family independence agency and delivered to that individual as required by section 68(9) of the Michigan adoption code, chapter X of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.68.

(3) Upon written request of a confidential intermediary appointed under section 68b of the Michigan adoption code, chapter X of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.68b, presentation of a certified copy of the order of appointment, identification of the name of the adult adoptee, and payment of the required fee, the state registrar shall issue to the confidential intermediary a copy of the original certificate of live birth of the adult adoptee on whose behalf the intermediary was appointed.

(4) A copy of the original certificate of live birth provided under subsection (2) or (3) shall have the following phrase marked on the face of the copy: “This document is a copy of a sealed record and is not the active birth certificate of the individual whose name appears on this document”.

333.2891 Search for vital record; request; fee; official statement if record not located; verification of identity; fees for search, establishment, or registration; furnishing copies without charge; fees for creation of new vital records and corrections of vital records; additional fees; disposition of fees; system of fees for local registrars; vital records fund.
*****
(7) Upon formal application, the state registrar or a local registrar shall furnish a certified copy of a vital record without charge to a licensed child placing agency representing a child for adoption purposes. The state registrar or local registrar shall label a certified copy provided under this subsection with the following statement: “for adoption purposes only, not for personal use”.

Relevant Michigan Law: Requesting an Original Birth Certificate

710.68. Nonidentifying and identifying information; request; availability; release; request for adoption record information; identity of court or child placing agency; counseling; list of adoption support groups; transmitting information of medical or genetic condition; return of information undelivered; placement of information in adoption files; releasing or transmitting copies; information returned undelivered; notice to department of community health; sealing original and preparing new birth certificate; release of identifying information as misdemeanor; adoptions to which section applicable; “adult adoptee” defined; fees; waiver; powers and duties of children’s ombudsman

(1) Within 63 days after a request for nonidentifying information is received, a child placing agency, a court, or the department shall provide in writing to the adoptive parent, adult adoptee, former parent, or adult former sibling requesting the information all of the nonidentifying information described in section 27(1) and (2) of this chapter.

(2) Within 63 days after a request for identifying information about an adult adoptee is received, a child placing agency or court or the department shall provide in writing to the former parent or adult former sibling requesting the information the adult adoptee’s most recent name and address if the adult adoptee has given written consent to release of the information pursuant to this chapter. If the adult adoptee has not given written consent to the release of information, the child placing agency, the court, or the department shall, upon presentation of a certified copy of the order of appointment, give the adult adoptee’s name and address to a confidential intermediary appointed under section 68b of this chapter, together with any other information in its possession that would help the confidential intermediary locate the adult adoptee. At the option of agency or the department, the information may be released to the court for release to the confidential intermediary.

(3) If the department or a child placing agency receives a request for adoption record information in its possession from an adult adoptee, former parent, or adult former sibling, the department or child placing agency shall provide the individual requesting the information with the identity of the court that confirmed the adoption within 28 days after receipt of the request. If a court receives such a request, the court shall provide the individual requesting the information with the identity of the child placing agency that handled the adoption.

(4) If the court that terminated parental rights receives from the former parents or adult former siblings of the adult adoptee a request for the identity of the agency, court, or department to which the child was committed, the court shall provide in writing the name of that agency, court, or department, if known, within 28 days after receipt of the request.

(5) Upon receipt of a written request for identifying information from an adult adoptee, a child placing agency, a court, or the department, if it maintains the adoption file for that adoptee, shall submit a clearance request form to the central adoption registry. Within 28 days after receipt of a clearance reply form from the central adoption registry, the child placing agency, court, or department shall notify the adoptee in writing of the identifying information to which the adoptee is entitled under subsection (6) or (7), or, if the identifying information cannot be released under those subsections, the reason why the information cannot be released. The child placing agency, court, or department shall retain a copy of the notice sent to the adult adoptee.

(6) For adoptions in which the former parents’ rights were terminated on or after May 28, 1945 and before September 12, 1980, a child placing agency, a court, or the department shall release to an adult adoptee or to a confidential intermediary appointed under section 68b of this chapter the identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter and other identifying information on file with the central adoption registry as specified in section 27b of this chapter, in the following manner:

(a) All of the identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter shall be released to the adult adoptee, if both former parents have on file with the central adoption registry a statement consenting to release of the identifying information.

(b) The identifying information described in section 27(3)(b) and (c) of this chapter about 1 of the former parents and the identifying information described in section 27(3)(a) and (d) of this chapter shall be released to the adult adoptee if that former parent has on file with the central adoption registry a statement consenting to release of identifying information.

(c) The identifying information described in section 27(3)(b) and (c) of this chapter about 1 of the former parents and the identifying information described in section 27(3)(a) and (d) of this chapter shall be released to the adult adoptee if that parent is deceased.

(d) All of the identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter on both former parents shall be released to the adult adoptee, if both former parents are deceased.

(e) Upon presentation of a certified copy of the order of appointment, all of the identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter shall be released to a confidential intermediary appointed under section 68b of this chapter, together with additional information to assist the confidential intermediary to locate former family members. At the option of the agency or the department, the information may be released to the court for release to the confidential intermediary.

(7) For all adoptions in which the former parents’ rights were terminated before May 28, 1945 or on or after September 12, 1980, a child placing agency, a court, or the department shall release to an adult adoptee the identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter and any additional information on file with the central adoption registry as specified in section 27b of this chapter, except that if a former parent has filed a statement currently in effect with the central adoption registry denying consent to have identifying information released, the identifying information specified in section 27(3)(b) and (c) of this chapter shall not be released about that parent. For purposes of this subsection, a denial of consent is not effective after the death of the former parent. This subsection does not apply to adoptions in which the former parents’ rights were terminated under chapter XII of this act unless the former parent has filed a statement with the central adoption registry consenting to the release of identifying information.

(8) Upon receipt of a written request from an adult adoptee for the name and address of an adult former sibling, a child placing agency, a court, or the department, if it maintains the adoption file for that adoptee, shall submit a clearance request form to the central adoption registry. Within 28 days after receipt of a clearance reply form from the central adoption registry, the child placing agency, court, or department shall notify the adoptee in writing of the name and address of an adult former sibling whose statement was forwarded by the central adoption registry.

(9) If a child placing agency or court or the department requests information from the central adoption registry and if the clearance reply form from the central adoption registry indicates that neither of the former parents has on file with the central adoption registry a statement currently in effect denying consent to have identifying information released, the child placing agency, court, or department shall deliver to the adult adoptee a copy of the clearance reply form it received from the central adoption registry. The clearance reply form may be used by the adult adoptee to obtain a copy of his or her original certificate of live birth under section 2882 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.2882. Except for adoptions in which the former parents’ parental rights were terminated under chapter XII of this act, this subsection applies to all adoptions in which the parents’ rights were terminated before May 28, 1945 or on or after September 12, 1980.

(10) If a child placing agency, a court, or the department receives written information concerning a physician-verified medical or genetic condition of an individual biologically related to an adoptee and a request that the information be transmitted to the adoptee because of the serious threat it poses to the adoptee’s life, the child placing agency, court, or department shall send a written copy of the information by first-class mail within 7 days after the request is received to the adoptee at his or her last known address. If the adoptee is less than 18 years of age, the information shall be sent by first-class mail within 7 days after the request is received to the adoptive parents at their last known address.

(11) If the information described in subsection (10) is returned undelivered, the agency, court, or department shall make a reasonable effort to find the most recent address of the adoptee or minor adoptee’s parents and shall again send the information by first-class mail within 21 days after receiving the returned letter.

(12) If a child placing agency, a court, or the department receives written information concerning a physician-verified medical or genetic condition of a person biologically related to an adoptee, and the condition is not life-threatening to the adoptee, the child placing agency, court, or department shall place the information in its adoption files. If the child placing agency, court, or department receives a written request for the information from the adult adoptee or minor adoptee’s adoptive parents, it shall release a written copy of the information to the adult adoptee or to the minor adoptee’s adoptive parents within 63 days after the request for the information was made.

(13) If a child placing agency, a court, or the department receives written information concerning a physician-verified medical or genetic condition that threatens the life of an adoptee and for which a biologically related person could give life-saving aid, and receives a request from or on behalf of the adoptee that the information be transmitted, the child placing agency, court, or department shall send a written copy of the information by first-class mail within 7 days after the request is received to the biological parents or adult biological siblings of the adoptee at their last known address.

(14) If the information described in subsection (13) is returned undelivered, the agency, court, or department shall make a reasonable effort to find the most recent address of the biological parents or adult biological siblings and shall again send the information by first-class mail within 21 days after receiving the returned letter.

(15) If a child placing agency, a court, or the department provides an adoptee with the name of 1 of the adoptee’s former parents, that child placing agency, court, or department shall notify the department of community health of that fact. Upon receipt of notification by the child placing agency, court, or department, the department of community health shall insure that the original birth certificate on file for the adoptee has been sealed and that a new birth certificate has been prepared in conformance with section 67 of this chapter.

(16) An employee or agent of a child placing agency, a court, or the department, who intentionally releases identifying information in violation of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(17) This section also applies to a stepparent adoption and to the adoption of a child related to the petitioner within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption.

(18) As used in this section, “adult adoptee” means an individual who was adopted as a child who is now 18 years of age or older or an individual who was 18 years of age or older at the time of adoption.

(19) A child placing agency, a court, and the department may require a fee for supplying information under this section. The fee shall be $60.00 or the actual cost of supplying the information, whichever is less. The child placing agency, court, or department may waive a part or all of the fee in case of indigency or hardship.

(20) A direct descendant of a deceased adult adoptee may request information under this section. All information to which an adult adoptee is entitled under this section shall be released to the adult adoptee’s direct descendants if the adult adoptee is deceased.

(21) A child placing agency, a court or the department shall permit the children’s ombudsman to inspect adoption records in its possession in connection with an investigation authorized under the children’s ombudsman act, 1994 PA 204, MCL 722.921 to 722.935. The ombudsman shall not disclose information obtained by an inspection under this section. If the children’s ombudsman requires further information from an individual whose identity is protected in closed adoption records, the ombudsman shall contact the individual discreetly and confidentially. The ombudsman shall inform the individual that his or her participation in the investigation is confidential, is strictly voluntary, and will not alter or constitute a challenge to the adoption. The ombudsman shall honor the individual’s request not to be contacted further. As used in this subsection, “children’s ombudsman” or “ombudsman” means the ombudsman appointed under section 3 of the children’s ombudsman act, 1994 PA 204, MCL 722.923, or his or her designee.

Filed Under: Original Birth Certificates Tagged With: Adoption Registry, Compromised Rights, Date-Based Restrictions, Donut Holes, Michigan, State OBC Laws

Gregory D. Luce

I am a Minnesota lawyer, DC-born adoptee, and the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC. I've been practicing law in Minnesota state and federal courts since 1993. I also have a sense of humor.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gregory D. Luce says

    March 29, 2017 at 8:34 am

    The gaping hole in Michigan is what we call the donut hole. And it requires a court order for an OBC. One of the things I hope to do with Adoptee Rights Law Center is to build the capacity to seek such court orders–without significant expense of the adoptee. In doing so, we also try to slowly unravel the basis for withholding OBCs in the first place. Long process, though, to get there.

    Reply
    • GeorgeAnna Hunt says

      February 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      Ii found this very interesting. Except for an overheard conversation when I was about five I have no reason to believe I am adopted. That is until I needed a copy of my birth certificate. At the time I was told I had to go to Lansing to get a copy. Years later I tried again when I was having horoscope done and realized I had no idea what time I was born. This time I was able to get a copy from Flint, the town I was born in. When the clerk delivered the copy clearly half the form was torn off. When I questioned it I was told that is the way they come.
      This article gave me a bit if background I really needed.

      Reply
      • Deborah J Lowe says

        August 18, 2021 at 6:00 pm

        Hello George Anna, I like you got the same response years ago. Same thing too, what time was I born? Also, I was sent the half sheet of the so called Birth Certificate. it only had my name and adoptive parents on it. To me it was not legal. One time I had a hard time getting a marriage license. I know my biological parents and families, my half sisters and brothers and my sister and brother. I have been in contact with them for years. I talk to them on a regular basis today. I would just like to know why I can not get an original, real Birth certificate. This seems to me to be a birth right. I am 67 now and have wondered who made that law up on closed adoptions in the first place. It is so unfair for someone to not know where they came from or from whom. I am a lucky one to have been in touch with my biological parents, but I still have not been able to get an original Birth Certificate. I wish you luck in getting yours.

        Reply
  2. Jo Swanson says

    October 20, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    “(2) Upon receipt of notice of annulment of adoption or a copy of an order of rescission, the original certificate of live birth shall be restored to its place in the files. The certificate created under subsection (1) is not subject to inspection except upon a court order.”

    Isn’t it amazing how the birthmother’s control over the adoptee’s original birth certificate comes magically out of the air at some point well beyond relinquishment? Notice that she has no control over it early on, should the adoption be annulled or rescinded. No attempt is made to get her permission to restore the document with her identifying info on it to her (minor) child. So if for some reason he is not readopted, that document will be his in perpetuity. Yet further down the road, the mother somehow gets control over his OBC. Where in the law does it restore her control over it?

    Reply
  3. Tony Heller says

    November 15, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    is the process any different if it is a step-parent adoption? I would like a copy of my original birth certficate before my step parents name was added. I’m not sure how to go about doing this or correcting my birth cert. The adoption was in 1972. The step parent and my birth father are both deceased.

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      November 16, 2017 at 7:34 am

      Hi, Tony. To be honest, I’m not sure. I’m not aware of an exception for stepparent adoptions where the OBC was sealed. Let me tinker a bit to see what I find. Stepparent adoptions can often be the most heartbreaking when the OBC is sealed, especially when the adoptee had a prior relationship with the birthparent whose rights were terminated. Not always, but often.

      Reply
  4. Gina Moore says

    August 18, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    this is a lot of information. i was adopted in the late 1960s. 18 years ago, i went thru the Michigan investigation system who found my biological mother who didn’t want to communicate with me. i am now wanting to find my biological sister. what can i do? i was born in 1967. adopted about 1969 or 1970

    Reply
  5. Susanne Boxer says

    February 17, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    I was born in 1944 to my unwed mother in Michigan and adopted in 1952 by my mothers husband. My mother is deceased and I am betting that my father is also or he would be in his early to medium 90’s.
    How do I secure a copy of my original birth certificate without a lot of bother?

    Reply
    • RICHARD MOOTE says

      February 22, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      My father was born in 1905 to an unwed mother. How do I get a copy of his original birth certificate?

      Reply
      • Gretchen Anderson says

        November 14, 2020 at 3:05 pm

        I see that this is a post from Feb., but if no one has responded, you might find that the birth certificate is not sealed. It likely would be available to you just by requesting it from the state where your father was born. It may or may not have his father’s name on it.

        Reply
  6. Debbie Garrard says

    March 26, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    born on july 20 1956. born in adrain michigan. adopted by bill and jackie hammock from georgia. that is all i know.

    Reply
  7. Teena Tabit says

    May 21, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    Born 7-10-1958 in Grand Rapids Michigan, Kent County. Certificate says Baby Girl Adams. Was adopted by Ray and Shirley Grossi in Genesee County. Currently have health issues and it would be nice to have a medical history.

    Reply
  8. Gretchen Anderson says

    June 2, 2019 at 11:23 pm

    My daughter was born in 1968 in Michigan. I was a 19-year-old college student at the time. I relinquished her at the Marquette County Courthouse shortly thereafter. She was adopted in Dickinson County. I really want to obtain her original birth certificate for her and for myself. We have been in reunion for 32 years. I’m 70 and she is 50. There is no possible harm that could be done by our having her OBC. We are the people named on it–it’s our document. No government bureaucrat should be able to withhold our document from us. However, what should be is not reality in Michigan. Neither of us lives in Michigan any more. I’m on the west coast, she is on the east coast. How do we go about getting a court order to release her OBC? If you don’t know, how do I find out? All information just states it’s only released by court order. Do I have to go to Michigan? If so, what do I do when I get there? Thanks for any help you can provide.

    Reply
  9. Terry Samples says

    July 3, 2019 at 7:54 am

    I have been searching for my twin brother my whole life..we just turned 62 june 12th..can someone please help me! Thank you

    Reply
    • Melodie says

      July 8, 2019 at 10:00 pm

      Terry, if you were born in Michigan, this might help get you started: Adult siblings may file either the Adult Former Sibling Statement to Release Information to Adult Adoptee – DHS-1917 form or the Release of Information to Adult Adoptee by Brother/Sister as Proxy for Deceased Parent – DHS-1918 form. (website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_7116_7125_7656-287404–,00.html )

      Reply
  10. Sharon Goulden says

    August 14, 2019 at 8:05 am

    What kind of work is being done to get the law changed so that adult adoptees can finally get their information? Is there legislation pending, people we can call and lean on? I’m out of state and thru DNA found my parents, but I still firmly believe that the OBC is a basic human right for all of us.

    Reply
  11. Gretchen says

    August 14, 2019 at 9:23 am

    I don’t have info for you but I’m on your side. I relinquished my daughter in Michigan in 1968. I found her in 1987 and we remain close for all these years but neither of us can obtain her OBC. Neither of us live in Michigan any more so it’s difficult to fight for this right to her OBC. Makes no sense that we can’t have it as we are the two people named on it. Very frustrating!

    Reply
  12. Loretta Lynn Byers-Sipes says

    August 24, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    I have been searching for my older brother taken away from my parents in 1963 or 1964 in Michigan. He was already gone before I was born. I believe he was taken for poverty reasons. I have been able to get his original birth certificate both from the county and state level. Does this mean it is not sealed? I can’t find an adoption record anywhere so I can’t hire a Confidential Intermediary. I’ve talked to every county. I can’t get non-identifying information either. I can’t even find a Termination of Parental Rights file. I know Michigan changed birth dates for children who were taken away in those years. Michigan tells me that the adoption record follows the child and if he was adopted out of the state they would not keep a record. Every single state that I inquire with says the information would be sent back to Michigan as the child’s birthplace. As a family we registered with the adoption registry in Michigan, nothing came of that. I’m getting the run around and I don’t know where to turn. Do you have any suggestions for me? Perhaps a lawyer that I could hire to find more information? Anything….. I have been looking well over 25 years now. My brother was born in Muskegon 3/7/1961. Please, if you could help at all I would be forever grateful. Loretta 563-343-6096

    Reply
  13. Gretchen says

    August 25, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    I’ve written two explanatory replies but when I try to post them, I get an error message. My maiden name is Sipes. Was your brother named Sipes at birth?

    Reply
  14. Loretta Sipes says

    October 22, 2019 at 10:43 am

    No Sipes is my married name. My brother would be a Byers. That’s his birth name anyway.

    Reply
  15. Robin Whitmoore says

    January 1, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Hello,
    Since I was born in 1961 i am denied my original birth certificate . So I applied for all the non identifying information that is allowed. I was told, even though they found my file, last June, it would be a 24 week wait for them to send me the information. Well, the 24 weeks(6 months) has come and gone. I have recently contacted my state Senator and my State Rep, to ask for help, and to get this stupid law changed. My question to anyone who has gotten their info. how long did it take? Cannot find a real person to talk to, just a taped message to leave a message. Have done so. no call back. No E-mail or address to go to. Any idea on how to get this information? Also is there an online support group to join?
    Thanks in advance.
    Robin

    Reply
    • Chris Higgins says

      January 21, 2021 at 2:24 pm

      IANL, but according to http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(et0rie1uyrsybzv4hpgnucoj))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-710-68 they shoud respond in 63 days.

      710.68 Nonidentifying and identifying information; request; availability; release; request for adoption record information; identity of court or child placing agency; counseling; list of adoption support groups; transmitting information of medical or genetic condition; return of information undelivered; placement of information in adoption files; releasing or transmitting copies; information returned undelivered; notice to department of community health; sealing original and preparing new birth certificate; release of identifying information as misdemeanor; adoptions to which section applicable; “adult adoptee” defined; fees; waiver; powers and duties of children’s ombudsman.

      Sec. 68.
      (1) Within 63 days after a request for nonidentifying information is received, a child placing agency, a court, or the department shall provide in writing to the adoptive parent, adult adoptee, former parent, or adult former sibling requesting the information all of the nonidentifying information described in section 27(1) and (2) of this chapter.

      Reply
      • Chris Higgins says

        January 21, 2021 at 2:26 pm

        better link to the statute, http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-710-68

        Reply
  16. Jaime says

    November 13, 2020 at 8:56 pm

    I have a half sister 9yrs older than myself I was born in 1980…having a hard time getting any information from our birth mother but I do know that I have a sister (possibly could be a yr or 2 off) that was born in Marquette MI to Lynda Louise Buck in the early 70’s…. The only info I was given was that my sibling is a girl and was surrendered directly upon birth but that the gender was female

    Reply
  17. H Rix says

    November 18, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    I am looking for a lawyer who specializes in getting adoption records. I have a possible half-sibling who was adopted in Michigan and has no access to his records. On what basis would a court order to release be possible?

    Reply
  18. Wes Bikoff says

    June 19, 2021 at 11:25 pm

    I was born in flint,Michigan April 28, 1961 my original name was Powell, the court papers Called me. ( baby boy Powell) Thats all I know.

    Reply
  19. Mary Minier says

    July 10, 2021 at 8:48 am

    I was born in Detroit in 1952. My adopted parents were Elmer & Margaret Speicher. I have found previously unknown siblings thru Ancestry DNA. I would like more birth family information. I certainly don’t understand why Michigan has a “donut hole” in their adoption records. I hope someone is continuing the fight to open this up.

    Reply
  20. Lynn Byers Sipes says

    November 19, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Any idea how I could find out common practices of CPS in Michigan in the mid 1960’s? As far as what states they typically sent adoptees to? With no records but my brother’s original birth certificate in the state, I’m assuming he must have been sent elsewhere. That is, if this was legal in the first place. Thank you.

    Reply

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Adoptee Rights Law Center

The Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC is an adoptee-focused legal practice founded by Gregory Luce, a Minnesota lawyer and D.C.-born adoptee.

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

Latest Posts

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Contact Info

Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
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.

Michigan Resources

  • Michigan Open Access is an adoptee-led organization seeking to change Michigan law to allow unrestricted access to your own original birth certificate.
  • State of Michigan: Forms and Information from the Central Adoption Registry
  • State of Michigan: List of Adoption Records of Closed Agencies

The OBC: Maps

US OBC Rights Placeholder
US OBC Rights
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain 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. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees 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. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain 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. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees 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. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.

View maps

The OBC: Numbers

10unrestricted
24compromised
17restricted
51View All

Legislative Tracking

I also monitor federal legislation related to intercountry adoptees.

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

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