Summary
Mississippi denies adult adoptees the right to obtain their own original birth certificates upon request. Release of the OBC requires a court order.
The Mississippi Adoption Confidentiality Act allows for release of identifying information from a state-maintained “centralized adoption records file,” subject to birth parent consent. It is also against the law in Mississippi for one birth parent to reveal the identity of another birth parent.
Relevant Mississippi Law: Original Birth Certificate
Miss. Code Ann. § 93-17-21. Revised birth certificate
(1) A certified copy of the final decree shall be furnished to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, together with a certificate signed by the clerk giving the true or original name and the place and date of birth of the child. The said bureau shall prepare a revised birth certificate which shall contain the original date of birth, with the place of birth being shown as the residence of the adoptive parents at the time the child was born, but with the names of the adopting parents and the new name of the child. In all other particulars, the certificate shall show the true facts of birth. The fact that a revised birth certificate is issued shall be indicated only by code numbers or some letter inconspicuously placed on the face of the certificate. The word “revised” shall not appear thereon. However, in the event an unmarried adult shall be the adopting parent, then such birth certificate may show thereon, upon order of the chancellor as set forth in the decree of adoption, that same is a revised birth certificate, giving the court where said decree was issued and the date of such decree. The original birth certificate shall be removed and placed, with reference made to the decree of adoption, in a safely locked drawer or vault, and the same shall not be public records and shall not be divulged except upon the order of the court rendering the said final decree or pursuant to Sections 93-17-201 through 93-17-223, and for all purposes the revised certificate shall be and become the birth certificate of the child. However, the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the State of Mississippi shall be required to prepare and register revised certificates only for births which occurred in the State of Mississippi as shown either by the court decree or by the original birth record on file in the bureau; but if the birth occurred in some other state, then the Director of the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the State of Mississippi shall be required to furnish to the attorney or other person representing the adopted child the name and address of the proper official in the state where the child was born, to whom the adoption decree and other information may be referred for appropriate action, and shall furnish to such attorney the certified copy of the decree and the certificate furnished by the clerk.
(2) Provided, however, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, either an original or a revised birth certificate may be issued, as hereinafter provided, by the Bureau of Vital Statistics to any child who was born outside the United States or its possessions and adopted, either heretofore or hereafter, by an order of a court in this state. Upon presentation of a certified copy of the final decree of adoption containing the required information, the Director of the Bureau of Vital Statistics shall be authorized and directed to receive said certified copy of the decree of adoption and prepare therefrom, and record, a birth certificate which shall disclose the following information: The name of the child (being the adopted name), race, sex, date of birth, place of birth (being the actual town, district and county of said child’s birth, except where the child is born in a penal or mental institution where the name of the county shall be sufficient), names, race, ages, places of birth and occupation of parents (being the adoptive parents) including the maiden name of the adoptive mother. Such certificate shall comport in appearance and indicia with the foregoing requirements for a “revised” certificate issued to a child born in this state. The Director of the Bureau of Vital Statistics shall be authorized and directed to issue certified copies thereof, the same as if the birth certificate were that of a child who had never been adopted.
Relevant Mississippi Law: Adoption Records and Identifying Information
93-17-201. Definitions
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) “Agency” means a county welfare department, a licensed or nonlicensed adoption agency or any other individual or entity assisting in the finalization of an adoption.
(b) “Adoptee” means a person who is or has been adopted in this state at any time.
(c) “Birth parent” means either:
(i) The mother designated on the adoptee’s original birth certificate; or
(ii) The person named by the mother designated on the adoptee’s original birth certificate as the father of the adoptee.
(d) “Board” means the Mississippi State Board of Health.
(e) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Vital Records of the Mississippi State Board of Health.
(f) “Licensed adoption agency” means any agency or organization performing adoption services and duly licensed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children’s Services.
§ 93-17-205. Centralized adoption records file established; contents; filing of supplemental information; authorization to release birth parent’s identity; notification of genetic illness
(1) The bureau shall maintain a centralized adoption records file for all adoptions performed in this state after July 1, 2005, which shall include the following information:
(a) The medical and social history of the birth parents, including information regarding genetically inheritable diseases or illnesses and any similar information furnished by the birth parents about the adoptee’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters if known;
(b) A report of any medical examination which either birth parent had within one (1) year before the date of the petition for adoption, if available and known;
(c) A report describing the adoptee’s prenatal care and medical condition at birth, if available and known;
(d) The medical and social history of the adoptee, including information regarding genetically inheritable diseases or illnesses, and any other relevant medical, social and genetic information if available; and
(e) Forms 100A, 100B (if applicable) and evidence of Interstate Compact for Placement of Children approval (if applicable).
The Administrative Office of Courts shall assist the bureau in the maintenance of its centralized adoption record by compiling the number of finalized adoptions in each chancery court district on a monthly basis, and submitting this information to the bureau. The bureau shall include these statistics in its centralized adoption record. The information in this report shall include the number of adoptions in this state where the adopting parent is a blood relative of the adoptee and the number of adoptions in this state where the adopting parent is not a blood relative of the adoptee. The report shall not include any individual identifying information. This information shall be updated annually and made available to the public upon request for a reasonable fee.
(2) Any birth parent may file with the bureau at any time any relevant supplemental nonidentifying information about the adoptee or the adoptee’s birth parents, and the bureau shall maintain this information in the centralized adoption records file.
(3) The bureau shall also maintain as part of the centralized adoption records file the following:
(a) The name, date of birth, social security number (both original and revised, where applicable) and birth certificate (both original and revised) of the adoptee;
(b) The names, current addresses and social security numbers of the adoptee’s birth parents, guardian and legal custodian;
(c) Any other available information about the birth parent’s identity and location.
(4) Any birth parent may file with the bureau at any time an affidavit authorizing the bureau to provide the adoptee with his or her original birth certificate and with any other available information about the birth parent’s identity and location, or an affidavit expressly prohibiting the bureau from providing the adoptee with any information about such birth parent’s identity and location, and prohibiting any licensed adoption agency from conducting a search for such birth parent under the terms of Sections 93-17-201 through 93-17-223. An affidavit filed under this section may be revoked at any time by written notification to the bureau from the birth parent.
(5) Counsel for the adoptive parents in the adoption finalization proceeding shall provide the bureau with the information required in subsections (1) and (3) of this section, and he shall also make such information a part of the adoption records of the court in which the final decree of adoption is rendered. This information shall be provided on forms prepared by the bureau.
(6) (a) If an agency receives a report from a physician stating that a birth parent or another child of the birth parent has acquired or may have a genetically transferable disease or illness, the agency shall notify the bureau and the appropriate licensed adoption agency, and the latter agency shall notify the adoptee of the existence of the disease or illness, if he or she is twenty-one (21) years of age or over, or notify the adoptee’s guardian, custodian or adoptive parent if the adoptee is under age twenty-one (21).
(b) If an agency receives a report from a physician that an adoptee has acquired or may have a genetically transferable disease or illness, the agency shall notify the bureau and the appropriate licensed agency, and the latter agency shall notify the adoptee’s birth parent of the existence of the disease or illness.
(7) Compliance with the provisions of this section may be waived by the court, in its discretion, in any chancery court proceeding in which one or more of the petitioners for adoption is the natural mother or father of the adoptee.
§ 93-17-215. Request by adoptee for identifying information
Any person twenty-one (21) years of age or over who has been adopted in this state may request the bureau through a licensed adoption agency providing post-adoption services to obtain and provide the identifying information regarding either or both of his or her birth parents maintained as provided in Section 93-17-205, unless that birth parent has executed an affidavit prohibiting the release of such information.
§ 93-17-219. Search for birth parent; when permitted; fee; agency contact with birth parent; release of information to adoptee
(1) If the bureau does not have on file (a) an affidavit either authorizing release of identifying information or prohibiting such release and any further contact from each known birth parent for whom information is sought, or (b) a notice that such birth parent has been contacted once and has refused to authorize the release of confidential information, then the adoptee may request the agency to undertake a search for the birth parent who has not filed an affidavit or who has not been contacted. The licensed agency shall not inform any person other than the birth parents of the purpose of the search.
(2) The licensed agency may charge the adoptee a reasonable fee for the cost of the search. When the agency determines that the fee will exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for either birth parent, it shall notify the adoptee. No fee in excess of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per birth parent may be charged unless the adoptee, after receiving notification under this paragraph, has given consent to proceed with the search.
(3) Upon locating a birth parent the licensed agency conducting the search shall make at least one (1) verbal contact and notify him or her of the following:
(a) The nature of the information requested;
(b) The date of the request; and
(c) The fact that the birth parent has the right to consent to or prohibit the release of this information by filing with the bureau the affidavit to this effect.
(4) Within three (3) working days after contacting a birth parent, the licensed agency shall provide the birth parent with a written statement of the information requested and an affidavit form authorizing or prohibiting the release of the requested information. If the birth parent authorizes the release of the information, the licensed agency shall disclose the requested information about that birth parent.
(5) If a licensed agency has contacted a birth parent as provided by this section, and the birth parent does not file the affidavit, the agency shall not disclose the requested information.
(6) If, after a search under this section, a known birth parent cannot be located, the agency shall not disclose the requested identifying information about that birth parent, although it may disclose any available nonidentifying information regarding that birth parent, and it may disclose identifying information about the other birth parent if such other birth parent has signed an unrevoked affidavit authorizing such release. If a birth parent is located and refuses to authorize the release of identifying information, the agency locating this birth parent shall notify the bureau. The bureau shall note such contact and refusal in its records.
(7) Only one (1) contact shall be made with a birth parent pursuant to a search request under this section if the birth parent refuses to authorize the release of the requested information. Further contacts with a birth parent under this section on behalf of the same adoptee shall be prohibited.
§ 93-17-223. One birth parent prohibited from divulging identity of other parent
In cases where only one (1) of the birth parents has authorized the release of identifying information, that birth parent shall be prohibited from divulging to the adoptee the identity, or any information reasonably calculated to lead to discovery of the identity, of the other birth parent, and shall execute a sworn affidavit stating that no such information shall be revealed. The refusal of any birth parent to comply with this prohibition shall constitute an act of bad faith under the terms of Sections 93-17-201 through 93-17-223, and such birth parent shall be subject to civil liability for the release of such information.
Mississippi needs to change the laws pertaining to adoption. Adoptees and their child/ren(if adoptee is deceased) have the right to the adoption information. Everyone has the right to know their biological past/beginnings.
My father was born and adopted in 1956. He passed away in 1985. He struggled with being adopted because he did not have the answers to questions. He did not know he was adopted until he was around thirteen and that was by accident of someone asking him, “How he liked being adopted?”. I think adoptees/their children should be able receive the information once they reach 21 years old.
I have gone through a lawyer and was given the first and last name of a biological mother. The problem is the first name is common and I have no middle name or birthdate to go off of, but I do have a potential based off the name and area my dad was born. All I want to know is who my paternal biological grandparents are. It’s hard not knowing blood family or in my case half of my blood family. Thank you for your time! Any advice would be appreciated! I have done Ancestry DNA test, but have not received a close match to trace.
Sabrina, you may benefit a great deal from a search angel, if you haven’t already found one to help you. Having a first and last name (assuming it is a correct name) is really key. One recommendation, if you are on Facebook, is to join two Facebook groups: DNA Detectives (who have people who will help you with using DNA) and Search Squad (a group of people who help people like you—looking for someone, particularly adoptee parents/ancestors).
Hope this helps. I will also follow up by email.
Sabrina, I found my bio family using AncestryDNA when I discovered how difficult it would be to get any information from Mississippi. Since then, I’ve helped many friends and strangers find biological family using DNA. If you need help, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’d be happy to see what I can discover for you.
I read somewhere that if someone was adopted in the state of MS before 1955 -that their adoption is now(2018) considered an open adoption. Have you heard of this? My Dad was born in 1945 & at six month his birth certificate was ‘corrected’….but he doesn’t know why. We have come to think the mom that raised him was actually his grandmother.
Mississippi should change their laws for Adoptees, Birthparents and Adopted parents who want to know MORE than just basic health issues.. and/or barely basic information. IF a birthparent says the Adoptee can make contact after age 18 or 21… and the adoptee and adoptive parents are in agreement for the contact, The laws should be changed to allow this to happen… Basic health and characteristics do not tell the story the Adoptee needs. As an Adoptive Parent trying to help my adopted child learn more about the circumstances of being placed for adoption, I need to know more as well. Our child has behavioral issues that escalated to addiction and self-destruction habits. The “basic” health information we received was not helpful. PLEASE CHANGE the LAWS.
I understand where you are coming from. I was lucky enough to find my birth mother and her family on Ancestry DNA and learned the story. I also learned that she is bipolar. I have a half sister that’s bipolar and has been addicted to substances as well. But the basic information that I was given in the adoption papers was not enough information. It just said that my birth mother had “emotional problems.”
I would like to speak with you about my adoption. I assume my parents are probably deceased and wonder if I can ever see my original birth certificate.
Thank you
Hi, Vonda–
It’s very tough to reach me on the phone, just because of the number of calls I may get and the inquiries I receive. It’s best to email me with any questions at [email protected] and I can see if I can point you in the right direction.
I was never legally adopted, so how can they deny me my birth records?
It will depend on what you mean by not “legally adopted.” If you mean there was no decree of adoption issued from a court, then there should not have been a sealed original birth record. If you mean that there was something illegal in the adoption but that a court nevertheless approved the adoption, then you’ll likely have to undo the adoption, which can be very difficult.
There was no adoption filed
I have my original birth cert but with no father’s name
I have a letter from MS stating they have my father’s name.
I was adopted at age 9 1/2 years old by my step dad….I know who my other dad is and always have. I have had him in my life the whole time just not everyday. I have always wanted my “1st birth certificiate” but can not have it because for some reason the adoption records are sealed.
This is crazy!!!!! I love everyone and do not wish to hurt anyone by asking for them to get it for me. My mother is now in a nursing home with Alzhiemers.
Like KEllis (comment above), I read somewhere that MS adoptions prior to 1955 are now public record. I called MS Dept. of Vital Records today to inquire about obtaining the original birth record for my father (deceased) adopted in 1921. The employee I spoke with knew nothing about any records being public. She said I would have to hire an attorney to file a court order.
What about those who have found their birth parents and would like a copy of their original birth certificate? I understand there needs to be an affidavit but to hire and attorney and go through a court process is costly. My birth mother and I have a relationship. I have her name. I have my fathers name (although he may not be listed). It should be very easy. I don’t get the run around. Is there something I’m missing?
Hello. I am looking for a potential adopted sibling. All I know is Mississippi and the year 1959 (possibly very early 1960). My mother (the whom gave birth) died n 2006 and I am the Exec. to her estate. As a sibling, can I get anywhere?
You can try with only your mom’s name & death certificate since that’s all you have.
Mississippi
Who May Access Information Citation: Ann. Code § 93-17-207
Nonidentifying information may be provided to:
• The adopted person who is age 18 or older
• The adoptive parent
• The legal guardian or custodian of an adopted person
• The offspring or birth sibling of an adopted person if the requester is age 18 or older.
I have information through canopy Solutions. I was adopted on June 10,1966 from the then Missississippi Children’s Home. Both my birth father and birth mother have left a letter several times in my files that they would like contact. I have paid all the fees. They now say they can not give me the names because there wasn’t an affidavit. The siblings are even aware that I exist and would like to meet me if I contact them. I can not get any more I formation. I’m just frustrated. Any help please.
How would one go about trying to get the law changed concerning obtaining adoption records in Mississippi?
I’m trying to get my dad’s adoption records. With him being born in March 1956 I barely miss the current time of 1955. I know who his biological mother was and a very good possibility of knowing who his biological father was is coming, but I still want a copy of his records. Thank you for your time and help!
I’m an adoptee from Mississippi born in 1965 and truly wish the state would revise their OBC laws. Both my adoptive parents are deceased and through years of searching and a non-ID report from the agency I was adopted from, I have 99% figured out who my birth mom is (without confirming blood tests from 1/2 siblings). My biggest wish is to find my birth father to close the door on this circus of a search. I have no desire to know him or need family – I just want to know who I look like and where my biological history lies. I have worked tirelessly with search angels to figure out who he is, but never have had any luck getting answers – only more speculation and questions.
I’m an adoptee who recently found my bio mom after 59 years so there is hope. I determined through dna my bio father
Your best bet is an ancestry dna test. That’s how most adoptees are finding their bio families. It would help confirm your maternal line. I’ve helped several adoptees find their relatives with dna alone.
If you do an Ancestry Kit, I’d be happy to help.
Ancestry is a joke to me. I did it and I have to do all the foot work. Personally, I wish I hadn’t wasted my money and the aggravation trying to do the footwork.
I’d be happy to take a look if you need a new set of eyes or help deciphering your matches/results. I’ve helped over 20 adoptees find their biological families and build out trees. Feel free to email me at [email protected]
I’m really interested in getting you my ancestry DNA results to see if you can help me in anyway. I was adopted from Jackson Mississippi in 1992. I have struggled severely in my young adult years with not being enough. I feel like finding answers could really help me. I’m a mother myself now and I don’t want to let my troubles trickle onto my daughter. I am very new to ancestry and not good at understanding the Information.
You were expecting something where they handed you a name on a silver platter? Of course you have to do the “footwork”. If you don’t understand what you’re looking at, get a search angel who knows what the results mean. DNA testing is only a “joke” to those who don’t know what a game-changer it is for everyone else.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear earlier, but if done AncestryDNA and FamilyTreeDNA-that’s how I figured out my bio mom.
Ahhhh. Gotcha. If you’d like a new pair of eyes to see, I’d be happy to take a look at your results. I’ve helped dozens of adoptees find their bio families. If interested, email [email protected] and I’ll send over instructions on how to share your AncestryDNA results with me.
Are you a paid searcher? There are plenty of free search angels out there.
Ancestry is a joke to me. I did it and I have to do all the foot work. Personally, I wish I hadn’t wasted my money and the aggravation trying to do the footwork.
I would love for someone to help me find my birth family. I was adopted on May 15, 1978 from the Baptist Children’s Village in Jackson, MS. My birth name was Amber Denise Ellis. It was a closed adoption so I don’t know much. Thank you in advance!
Do DNA.
I did. Through Ancestry. Waiting on my results now.
How did you find out your birth name?!?!?!
Has anyone been able to find anything in the laws pertaining to the biological mother being deceased?
I do not live in MS but was able thru Ancestry DNA to finally identify (100%) my birth father. He & my mother never married. She never told me – died when I was just 12. I am now 74 & only discovered the identity of my bio father in 2019 – he died in 1964. I have not nor will I ever make contact with my living half-siblings. I am now certain that deceased maternal relatives have always known his name but swore to me they did not. I
am trying not be be resentful that in “protecting” me I was denied to know vital facts about my bio father. & myself. Time does not always heal old wounds when they are allowed to fester instead. I have now helped over 20 adoptees identify bio parents with ancestry DNA results. Please make the effort to search before states like MS figure out how to close the DNA door.
Thank you . This has been most helpful . I will take your advice.
I know who my biological mom is and I just want to know why did she give me up and keep the rest and why is my record sealed she won’t mention it I want to hear the truth . By the way she gave me to her brother and his wife .
My bio father is now dead and I actually lived with him at one time as a teen but I am told that i have to fight the state of MS to get my OBD and I can not get a Real ID in any other state without it. This has truly blown my mind. Why is it, that the rights of the parent or parents, who signed their rights away supersedes the rights of the child, who had no choice in the matter. This is going to end up being a major hardship for people when the Real ID law takes effect, because a lot of people such as myself just can’t afford to spend that kind of money to take the chance of being denied their info in the end. The laws need to be change and MS needs to catch up with the times
THIS!!! It’s so unfair to us! I’m preparing to meet with my local representative and push for answers and reform!
I’m with you!! I’ve been trying to see how to go about this.
I read most of these comments. Mississippi is very frustrating. My mom was told who her father was, she wrote to him, and met him for the first time when she turned 18 even though she had been adopted by her step-dad. We grew up knowing our grandpa, he passed away, my grandmother passed away 15 years ago. I did Ancestry to learn about my own dad’s side of the family only to discover that my mom’s father was actually, biologically someone else, confirmed by Ancestry and GEDMATCH (free site, used by law enforcement) . GEDMATCH was recommended by one of my DNA matches, because none of the matches made sense, and he suggested that. Then this first cousin just happen to do Ancestry and, wow. She was very welcoming, but the biological half sibling just, not really, and I understand a shock to her. After all, she is 78, and now, she finds out, that she has a half sister. Mom’s biological father passed away years ago too, but we would like to know, if her original birth certificate has the actual biological father’s last name, which would confirm my grandmother knew OR did it have her father’s last name, who she met when she was 18, then my grandmother maybe didn’t know who the father was. It is a mystery and I wish I could see a picture of him. I have pictures of my knew 2nd and 3rd ggf. Mississippi is the one state behind all the other states in everything, so 🤷
I’m from Alabama I was born prematurely in Mississippi when I called to get my birth records from the hospital I was told my records were stored in Tennessee? Why in Tennessee? I was born in 1985 I’m told my record was never digitized then why was my others digitized? I’m told that in 2018 my records were destroyed due to a storm that passed through but I was advised that I could contact the dr who delivered me so I did again in Mississippi nevertheless guess what I’m advised my records were stored in the parking lot in a storage shed in Mississippi and they to were blown away in a storm so at this point my birth records were blown away in two different states by a storm ironic! However I was able to obtain my mothers records which partially had my records as well! I submitted for a certified copy of my birth certificate and I got a certificate of live birth when I called Mississippi vitals I was told that I couldn’t get a copy of my birth certificate the only thing Mississippi send is certificates of live birth? Is this true? Also on my certificate of live birth the time of my birth is different from my mothers hospital records. And my state register name is different on the new one compared to the old one. My grandmother said that when I was 4 she had to try and get a birth certificate because I never had one? On my original certificate of live birth it indicates no state file number however on my new one it has a file number but the date is 1989 that’s 4 years past my actual birthdate. Another odd fact is there’s another girl with my exact same name same birth date and our ssn is the same with an exception of that last 4 numbers I find this out due to be confused with another during legal proceedings apparently she has a record I got to do the time for!!! Please help me understand.
If it wasn’t so infuriating and frustrating, it’d be funny how every time someone contacts MS Vital Records, the only answer they/we receive is “you’ll need an attorney for that” when it states specifically an attorney is not necessary. I have made multiple requests for the affidavits for the biological parents to file giving permission to release identifying information and I can’t even get those. I KNOW my biological family. I have a relationship with them! And the judge told me that had I lied and not admitted I already knew that information, he’d have been more inclined to unseal my records. I’m basically being punished for knowing them.
Fellow Mississippi adoptees, I am currently working with my local Representative and Senator on bills for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. If you are interested in joining me in this endeavor, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]! They can ignore one of us. They can’t ignore all of us! I’ve also started a Facebook group, Mississippians for Open Records, if you’re interested in joining! Let’s join together and make some noise!
I am with you