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Requesting an Original Birth Certificate

First published on January 1, 2020 • Last updated on January 14, 2020

Questions about how, when, and where a New York adopted person (or that person’s descendant) can order a certified copy of their original birth certificate? Here’s what the nine other unrestricted states do.

First, a caveat and a plea to keep calm. It will happen. You will be able to request and obtain a certified copy of your own original birth certificate if you were born in New York. There are also provisions for people who were adopted in New York but not born there.

Basic FAQs. I previously answered some basic questions about the new law here. Check that out if you are wondering what the new law does.

The effective date of the law is January 15, 2020, but that only means the application to request your OBC will be available by then. Details about how the process will work, how long it will take, and what you will need to apply are not yet available, but there’s enough information and basic knowledge about how these requests work in other unrestricted states that we can get a sense of how the Empire State will also make this happen.

Second, a few things to say to tamp down some rumors and to correct a few misconceptions that are running around the interwebz, primarily on Facebook:

  • It is highly unlikely you can show up at the vital records office—whether in Albany or on Worth Street in Manhattan—submit an application for your OBC, and walk away with a copy that same day. I don’t see that happening at all.
  • You will not need to submit your request in person or travel to New York to do so. No state requires this, and that also makes no sense.
  • There are two departments of health involved in New York that will provide certified copies of the original birth certificate and they have different procedures. One is the New York State Department of Health. The other is the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. If you don’t know where to apply, the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition has this helpful resource to get you in the right place.
  • Online applications are encouraged for requesting original birth certificates from the New York State Department of Health. The New York City Department of Health, however, has released a short statement saying that applications will be accepted by mail at first and that it will “start taking orders online later in the year.”
  • You will likely not need to submit a copy of your amended birth certificate to make the request. I am aware of only one state that may require this: Maine. I may be wrong about this, but I would be surprised if a copy of your amended certificate is required.
  • Descendants of adopted people will need to provide more information and documentation than adoptees. Why? To link the descendant to the adoptee. This will be the one instance where your current birth certificate may be required to demonstrate your relationship to the adopted person. How expansively New York interprets legal and biological descendant is not yet known, other than it will be direct line descendants, meaning children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.
  • You will need basic information about who you are (i.e., your name and valid identification), where you live (to mail the OBC to you when it is located and produced), who your adoptive parents are, and the name that appears for you on your current legal birth certificate. The state or city needs this information to locate your vital records.
  • It may take weeks (and maybe a few months at first) to get your copy of your own OBC in the mail. There will be a crush of applications in the beginning, which will likely make the initial wait longer.

What Happens in Other Unrestricted States

Here’s what the nine other unrestricted states require to apply for and obtain your own original birth certificate. Links to those states’ information pages and the current form the state uses are also provided.

Alabama

Alabama began releasing original birth records of adopted people in 2000, and the state also releases original birth records that it sealed after legitimation or paternity determinations. As of December 31, 2016, more than 6,776 OBCs have been released.

Alabama requires the following information to apply:

  • Your full name as it appears on your current legal birth certificate;
  • Date of birth;
  • County of birth;
  • Full maiden name of your mother as it appears on your current legal birth certificate;
  • Full name of your father as it appears on your current legal birth certificate;
  • Your mailing address and telephone number;
  • A $25.00 application fee.

More information: Web • Form • State Law Summary

Alabama website for pre-adoption birth certificate
Alabama

Alaska

Alaska has always released the original birth certificate to an adopted person, upon request at 18 years of age or older.

Alaska requires the following information on its application form:

  • Your full name as it appears on your current legal birth certificate;
  • Date of birth;
  • Place of birth;
  • Full name of mother as it appears on the current birth certificate (include maiden name if different);
  • Full name of father;
  • Mailing address and telephone number;
  • Notarized signature;
  • Application fee of $30.00.

More information: Form • State Law Summary

Image of letter from vital records in Alaska
Alaska

Colorado

Colorado provides an original birth certificate upon request to adult adopted people as well as to others, including parents of a minor adoptee, descendants of the adoptee if the adoptee is deceased, and spouses, parents, siblings, and grandparents with the written permission of the adult adoptee. At last count, at least 4,000 OBCs have been released since the records became available on January 1, 2016.

Colorado requires the following information on its application form:

  • Your full current legal name;
  • Date of birth;
  • City/County of birth;
  • Full name of adoptive mother;
  • Full name of adoptive father;
  • Mailing address and telephone number;
  • Proof of relationship to the adoptee (if you are not the adoptee);
  • Valid form of identification;
  • Application fee of $40.00.

More information: Website • Request Form • State Law Summary

Colorado

Hawai’i

Since June 21, 2016, Hawai’i provides court adoption records upon request to the adopted person at age 18 or over, as well as to birthparents and adoptive parents. The court record typically includes the original birth certificate.

Hawai’i requires the following information on its application form:

  • Your full current legal name;
  • Date of birth;
  • Place of birth;
  • Full name of adoptive mother;
  • Full name of adoptive father;
  • Names of any birthparents (not required of the adoptee and only if names are known);
  • Mailing address and telephone number;
  • Valid form of identification (if applying in person);
  • Notarized signature (if applying by mail).

More information: Form • Instructions • State Law Summary

Hawai’i

Kansas

Kansas has always released a copy of the adopted person’s own sealed original birth certificate, upon the adopted person’s request at age 18 years of age.

Kansas requires only a written notarized letter to the Department of Health and Environment. A sample written request, provided by the Department, contains:

  • Your current name;
  • Date of birth;
  • Place of birth;
  • Maiden name of adoptive mother;
  • Notarized signature;
  • A $15.00 fee.

More information: Website • State Law Summary

Kansas

Maine

Maine began releasing copies of an adoptee’s own original birth certificate in 2009 and, as of the end of 2017, had released 1,758 OBCs.

Maine requires the following information with its application form:

  • Name after adoption;
  • Date of birth;
  • Copy of your amended birth certificate;
  • Notarized signature;
  • A $10 non-refundable fee;

Information on the form that is not required:

  • City/town of birth;
  • Names of adoptive parents;
  • Year of adoption.

More information: Form • State Law Summary

Maine

New Hampshire

New Hampshire enacted a law in 2004 that provides an unrestricted right of an adult adoptee, at age 18, to request and obtain a non-certified copy of his or her own original birth certificates. The law became effective on January 1, 2005, and, as of December 31, 2015, adoptees have made 1,760 requests for copies of their OBCs.

New Hampshire requires the following information to apply for the OBC:

  • Name after adoption;
  • Sex/Gender;
  • Date of birth;
  • Place of birth;
  • Full name of adoptive mother;
  • Full name of adoptive father;
  • Valid form of identification
  • A $15.00 fee.

More information: Website • Form • State Law Summary

New Hampshire

Oregon

Oregon passed its unrestricted law in 1998 but litigation delayed full implementation until the year 2000. It releases the original birth certificate at age 21, though nearly all court records are available upon request at age 18. As of May 2019, Oregon has released 12,428 certified copies of the adoptees’ own original birth certificates.

Oregon requires the following information on its application form:

  • Your full legal name (after adoption);
  • Date of birth;
  • Sex;
  • Place of birth (city and county);
  • Adoptive mother’s full legal name at birth;
  • Adoptive father’s full legal name at birth;
  • Mailing address and telephone number;
  • Valid current identification;
  • Application fee of $30.00.

More information: Website • Form • State Law Summary

Oregon

Rhode Island

Rhode Island releases an adoptee’s own original birth certificate to the adoptee upon request, though the age required for release is 25 years of age or older. Since 2012, when its law went into effect, approximately 1,300 OBCs have been released.

Rhode Island requires the following information for its application:

  • Name after adoption;
  • Date of birth;
  • Place of birth;
  • Sex/Gender;
  • Adoptive mother’s full name at birth;
  • Adoptive father’s full name at birth;
  • Mailing address and telephone number;
  • Valid current identification (whether applying in person or by mail);
  • Application fee of $22.00 (in person) or $25.00 (by mail).

More information: Website and Form • State Law Summary

Rhode Island

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Unrestricted

About Gregory D. Luce

I am a Minnesota lawyer, born and adopted in the District of Columbia, and the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC. I've been practicing law in Minnesota state and federal courts since 1993, and have been the executive director of Adoptees United Inc. since 2021. I also have a sense of humor.

Get Involved with Adoptees United Inc.

Logo of Adoptees United Inc.Did you find this post interesting? Then get involved nationally with Adoptees United Inc., a national tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to securing equality for all adult adopted people in the US. Find out more here, and join me and others in working for equality.

Did I Miss Something?

I work hard to get the laws and facts straight in every state---and to keep them regularly updated. If you see something that's not quite right or doesn't fit your experience, let me know with either a quick comment or an email.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Colleen says

    January 1, 2020 at 10:05 am

    Thank you for this information. Helpful in easing the uncertainty of what is ahead for those of us in NYS who have been waiting so long for this opportunity.

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      January 1, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      Thank you, I am praying I find my baby brother who was adopted off at 3(he was red head), want to make sure he like my other baby brother, has not died of heart disease , he’s only about 49.. I tried ancestry but nothing comes up but another brother from same dad not mom.. this law May help lead him to us, thank you!

      Reply
  2. Rosalind Maya Lama says

    January 1, 2020 at 10:33 am

    My natural son was born and later adopted in NYC. He died at age 20, in NYC. His adoptive parents are deceased and never had other children. There are no lineal descendants. I want a copy of my son’s original birth certificate, which I would have been entitled to if he had not been adopted. Is there a way I can declare myself his legal representative with a self-certified, notarized letter? I have a copy of his amended birth certificate as well as a copy of his death certificate. No doubt there are others in my position as well. Please advise.
    Thank you in advance.
    Rosalind Maya Lama

    Reply
  3. Tc says

    January 1, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Why would you need a birth cert if he was adopted and deceased? Insurance? I would find it disheartening for anyone to get my deceased birth Cert unless it was siblings looking to see how many other kids and parents name…

    Reply
    • MrsM says

      January 5, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      I’m reunited but want a copy of my birth certificate because it proves on paper that my mom is my mom. My mom also wants a copy now for this reason. She would have been entitled to my birth certificate, as any other parent is, prior to signing paperwork. She was 15 when I was born and didn’t know this. If something had happened to me before my OBC became available I could still see my mom wanting a copy if she were able to get one. OP may not “need” a copy but may still want one for similar reasons.

      Reply
  4. Rosalind Maya Lama says

    January 2, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    I am requesting all documents bearing my name, as well as the name of my son. It is for my records, as proof of our relationship. There is no pecuniary interest in this.

    Reply

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Adoptee Rights Law Center

The Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC is an adoptee-driven law firm founded by Gregory Luce, a Minnesota lawyer who was also born and adopted in the District of Columbia.

Contact Me

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

Latest Posts

  • Name Changes and an N-565
  • Q&A: US Citizenship and Immigration Issues for Intercountry Adoptees
  • Thank You! Funds Raised for a Filing Fee for Intercountry Adoptee
  • It’s My Birthday. Let’s Celebrate.
  • Ask an Adoptee Rights Lawyer

Contact Info

Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
Minneapolis Minnesota 55419
T: (612) 221-3947
E: [email protected]

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

Colorado

  • In re J.N.H., 209 P.3d 1221 (Colo. App. 2009) (for adoptions finalized after July 1, 1951, but before July 1, 1967, an adoptee may have access to the names of his or her birth parents and to all court records and papers regarding the adoption).

Maine Advocacy and Resources

  • Information about Maine's Adoption Reunion Registry
  • News Stories on the Restoration of Adoptee Rights in Maine

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Secretary of State information on Pre-Adoption Birth Records.

NYARC/Action in New York

Three state and national organizations, including the Adoptee Rights Law Center, have formed the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition to restore the right of adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates without conditions or restrictions.

Join the Effort

Oregon

Oregon Health Authority: Orders for Preadoption Birth Records

Oregon Department of Human Services: Adoption Search and Registry Program

Oregon Court of Appeals decision upholding Measure 58 against birth parent challenges on issue of alleged privacy and vested rights: Does 1-7 v. State of Oregon, 993 P.2d 822, (Ore. Ct. App. 1999).

Rhode Island

Forms and directions for obtaining a non-certified copy of a pre-adoptive birth certificate are available on the website for the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The OBC: Maps

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. Read More.
Arizona. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, which became effective on January 1, 2022. It allows only some adoptees to request the OBC--- based on their date of birth---but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of Arizona-born adopted people. Read more.
Arkansas.While Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files, the request is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. A FAQ with information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is 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 a copy of their own original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Colorado-born adult adopted people 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. While Delaware-born adopted people who are at least 21 years of age may request a copy of their OBCs, birthparents may legally veto their release, otherwise known as a "disclosure veto." Read more.
District of Columbia. District of Columbia courts control all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. A court order is required and, depending on the date of adoption, may involve federal court or the D.C. Superior Court. Read more.
Florida. While Florida-born adult adopted people may apply for a copy of 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. Read More.
Georgia. Georgia-born adult adopted people must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their original birth certificates. Read more.
Hawaii. Adopted people born born in Hawaii do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. People adopted in Hawaii may 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. 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. Additional rights through the registry are available to people adopted on or after July 1, 2022, but those adoptees must also be at least 18 years of age. Read more.
Illinois. The state has implemented a complex tiered date-based system to request and obtain a birth record, using the adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs and other information. The date of birth of an Illinois-born adopted person determines who has a right to an OBC or who may be subject to a birthparent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. The state has a complex and discriminatory framework that may allow release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birthparent may prohibit release of that information at any time, even after the parent's death. Read more.
Iowa. While Iowa-born adopted peoole who are at least 18 years of age may apply for a copy of their own original birth certificates, release of the record is subject birthparent redaction requests. Read More.
Kansas. While original birth certificates may be sealed after an adoption, Kansas-born adult adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Read more.
Kentucky. A court order is required for an Kentucky-born adult adopted person to secure a copy of their own original birth certificate. Read more.
Louisiana. All Louisiana-born adopted people, at age 24, have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Maine-born adopted people must be at least 18 years of age before requesting the OBC. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state: there are so few current Maryland-born adult adopted  people who may qualify under its law, which gives preference to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because the adopted person must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC under the date-based qualification, the law effectively applies only to those adopted people who are recently turning 21 (or were older at the time of their adoption). In addition, birthparents under current law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Maryland-born adopted people whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their own original birth records. Read more.
Massachusetts. The Bay State in 2022 became the 12th state in the U.S. to affirm or restore the right of all Massachusetts-born adult adopted people to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. 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 the date of terminatuion of a birthparent's parent rights, a birthparent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In most cases (those in the donut hole years) no identifying information---or the OBC---may be released to the adoptee, except by court order or if the birthparent is deceased. Read more.
Minnesota. All Minnesota-born adult adopted people have a right obtain a copy of their own original birth records. This also applies to the spouse, children, and grandchildren of the adopted person if the person is deceased. Read more.
Mississippi. Mississippi-born adult adopted people do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order to obtain the record. Read more.
Missouri. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes, some of which may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Montana maintains a somewhat complex tiered system that uses an adoptee’s date of adoption as the determinant of whether an adopted person may obtain their own original birth certificate. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are at least 30 years of age, court orders may be required for younger adoptees. In all cases, if a birthparent requests that a court order be required, the OBC will not be released without a court order. Read more.
Nebraska. Nebraska law is incredibly complex and confusing. Generally, any right of a Nebraska-born adult adopted person to obtain a copy of their own OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and in some cases an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Nevada-born adult adopted people must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificate. 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 the law in 2016 provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most New Jersey-born adult adopted people now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 560 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 560 adoptees have no right to obtain an unredacted original birth certificate except through a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. A New Mexico-born adult adopted person must demonstrate good cause to convince a court to release a copy of the adoptee's own original birth certificate. Read more.
New York. Since 2020, adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a certified copy of the adopted person's own original birth certificate. Read more.
North Carolina. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. A North Carolina-born adult adopted person must specifically request the OBC in a court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adopted people who were born in North Dakota do not have a right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order to release it. Read more.
Ohio. Not all Ohip-born adult adopted people are treated equally. While legislative reforms in the last decade removed a number of discriminatory provisions, significant restrictions remain, including birthparent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Currently, nearly all Oklahoma-born adult adopted must obtain a court order and show good cause for release of the OBC. While Oklahoma-born adopted people 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. Oregon-born adopted people who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Oregon law also allows adoptees at age 18 to obtain specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania-born adopted people who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are legally withdrawn from school— may request "summary information" from their original birth record (but not a copy of the original record itself). 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 adopted people and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adopted person's own original birth certificate at age 18. Read more.
South Carolina. South Carolina-born adult adopted people must either obtain a court order or birthparent permission to obtain an unredacted original birth record. Read more.
South Dakota. South Dakota-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificate directly from the state's vital records department or from the local register of deeds. In July 2023, South Dakota became the fourteenth state to affirm or restore such a right. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their own “adoption records,” which typically 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. Read more.
Texas. Release of the OBC to a Texas-born adult adopted person requires a court order, with one significant exception: adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who know the names of their birthparents listed on the record may obtain a non-certified copy of their own original birth certificate upon request. 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 birth records, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Vermont-born adult adopted people and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of the adopted person's own original birth certificate directly from the state's vital records department. In July 2023, Vermont became the thirteenth state to affirm or restore such a right. Read more.
Virginia. Release of an OBC to a Virginia-born adult adopted person 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. The original birth record is only available by court order or through successful completion of a complex and lengthy "adoption records search" process, which depends upon consent or death of the parties to release any records or information. For these reasons, it is considered a "Restricted State." 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.
US OBC Rights 2024 Placeholder
US OBC Rights 2024
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. Read More.
Arizona. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, which became effective on January 1, 2022. It allows only some adoptees to request the OBC--- based on their date of birth---but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of Arizona-born adopted people. Read more.
Arkansas.While Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files, the request is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. A FAQ with information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is 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 a copy of their own original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Colorado-born adult adopted people 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. While Delaware-born adopted people who are at least 21 years of age may request a copy of their OBCs, birthparents may legally veto their release, otherwise known as a "disclosure veto." Read more.
District of Columbia. District of Columbia courts control all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. A court order is required and, depending on the date of adoption, may involve federal court or the D.C. Superior Court. Read more.
Florida. While Florida-born adult adopted people may apply for a copy of 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. Read More.
Georgia. Georgia-born adult adopted people must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their original birth certificates. Read more.
Hawaii. Adopted people born born in Hawaii do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. People adopted in Hawaii may 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. 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. Additional rights through the registry are available to people adopted on or after July 1, 2022, but those adoptees must also be at least 18 years of age. Read more.
Illinois. The state has implemented a complex tiered date-based system to request and obtain a birth record, using the adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs and other information. The date of birth of an Illinois-born adopted person determines who has a right to an OBC or who may be subject to a birthparent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. The state has a complex and discriminatory framework that may allow release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birthparent may prohibit release of that information at any time, even after the parent's death. Read more.
Iowa. While Iowa-born adopted peoole who are at least 18 years of age may apply for a copy of their own original birth certificates, release of the record is subject birthparent redaction requests. Read More.
Kansas. While original birth certificates may be sealed after an adoption, Kansas-born adult adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Read more.
Kentucky. A court order is required for an Kentucky-born adult adopted person to secure a copy of their own original birth certificate. Read more.
Louisiana. All Louisiana-born adopted people, at age 24, have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Maine-born adopted people must be at least 18 years of age before requesting the OBC. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state: there are so few current Maryland-born adult adopted  people who may qualify under its law, which gives preference to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because the adopted person must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC under the date-based qualification, the law effectively applies only to those adopted people who are recently turning 21 (or were older at the time of their adoption). In addition, birthparents under current law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Maryland-born adopted people whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their own original birth records. Read more.
Massachusetts. The Bay State in 2022 became the 12th state in the U.S. to affirm or restore the right of all Massachusetts-born adult adopted people to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. 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 the date of terminatuion of a birthparent's parent rights, a birthparent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In most cases (those in the donut hole years) no identifying information---or the OBC---may be released to the adoptee, except by court order or if the birthparent is deceased. Read more.
Minnesota. All Minnesota-born adult adopted people have a right obtain a copy of their own original birth records. This also applies to the spouse, children, and grandchildren of the adopted person if the person is deceased. Read more.
Mississippi. Mississippi-born adult adopted people do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order to obtain the record. Read more.
Missouri. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes, some of which may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Montana maintains a somewhat complex tiered system that uses an adoptee’s date of adoption as the determinant of whether an adopted person may obtain their own original birth certificate. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are at least 30 years of age, court orders may be required for younger adoptees. In all cases, if a birthparent requests that a court order be required, the OBC will not be released without a court order. Read more.
Nebraska. Nebraska law is incredibly complex and confusing. Generally, any right of a Nebraska-born adult adopted person to obtain a copy of their own OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and in some cases an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Nevada-born adult adopted people must secure a court order to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificate. 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 the law in 2016 provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most New Jersey-born adult adopted people now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 560 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 560 adoptees have no right to obtain an unredacted original birth certificate except through a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. A New Mexico-born adult adopted person must demonstrate good cause to convince a court to release a copy of the adoptee's own original birth certificate. Read more.
New York. Since 2020, adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a certified copy of the adopted person's own original birth certificate. Read more.
North Carolina. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. A North Carolina-born adult adopted person must specifically request the OBC in a court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adopted people who were born in North Dakota do not have a right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order to release it. Read more.
Ohio. Not all Ohip-born adult adopted people are treated equally. While legislative reforms in the last decade removed a number of discriminatory provisions, significant restrictions remain, including birthparent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Currently, nearly all Oklahoma-born adult adopted must obtain a court order and show good cause for release of the OBC. While Oklahoma-born adopted people 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. Oregon-born adopted people who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Oregon law also allows adoptees at age 18 to obtain specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania-born adopted people who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are legally withdrawn from school— may request "summary information" from their original birth record (but not a copy of the original record itself). 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 adopted people and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adopted person's own original birth certificate at age 18. Read more.
South Carolina. South Carolina-born adult adopted people must either obtain a court order or birthparent permission to obtain an unredacted original birth record. Read more.
South Dakota. South Dakota-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificate directly from the state's vital records department or from the local register of deeds. In July 2023, South Dakota became the fourteenth state to affirm or restore such a right. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their own “adoption records,” which typically 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. Read more.
Texas. Release of the OBC to a Texas-born adult adopted person requires a court order, with one significant exception: adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who know the names of their birthparents listed on the record may obtain a non-certified copy of their own original birth certificate upon request. 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 birth records, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Vermont-born adult adopted people and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of the adopted person's own original birth certificate directly from the state's vital records department. In July 2023, Vermont became the thirteenth state to affirm or restore such a right. Read more.
Virginia. Release of an OBC to a Virginia-born adult adopted person 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. The original birth record is only available by court order or through successful completion of a complex and lengthy "adoption records search" process, which depends upon consent or death of the parties to release any records or information. For these reasons, it is considered a "Restricted State." 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.

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OBC: State Status & Numbers

15 UNRESTRICTED
19 COMPROMISED
17 RESTRICTED
51 VIEW ALL
What do these mean? Some maps and an explanation.</>

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