Adoptee Rights Law Center

Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted people

Action Alerts

YIKES! Hot Mess of a Bill in California

First published on • Last updated on

A newly-introduced and unexpected bill in California is a hot mess. It preserves court involvement plus creates new rights of redaction for birthparents. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to help.

VETO Idaho SB1320

First published on • Last updated on

Register your opposition to Idaho SB1320 and ask Governor Brad Little for his veto of the bill.

Opposition to Idaho SB1320

First published on • Last updated on

Idaho has a deeply flawed bill that undermines adoptee rights. It’s time to write to House committee members to request a NO vote.

Sign Up: National Week of Action

First published on • Last updated on

Take action—a full week of action. I’m launching a National Week of Action and encouraging you—my friends, allies, and colleagues—to join me.

Bill Actions for the First Week of March

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Bills in Arizona, Idaho, and Tennessee are up for consideration in committee this week, plus bills in Iowa and Mississippi are facing critical deadlines.

Crunch Week: What You Can Do

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Adoptee rights bills are being heard in numerous committees this week. Here’s what is on those agendas as well as recommended actions.

I Wrote to Governor Herbert. You Should Too

First published on • Last updated on

Let’s do one thing: convince Utah Governor Gary Herbert to veto HB345, a discriminatory and regressive bill.

The Presence of a Man

First published on • Last updated on

Demand that Connecticut Senators reject the “Somers Amendment,” a backwards approach that literally requires the presence of a man to release an adoptee’s own vital record.

Tell Iowa Reps: NO on SF621

First published on • Last updated on

Contact members of the Iowa House of Representatives. Tell them to vote NO on SF621

What’s an Original Birth Certificate?

Most adopted persons know what an original birth certificate (OBC) is. Many non-adopted people do not. An original birth certificate is the initial birth certificate created shortly after a person's birth. For most people, it is their only birth certificate.

For persons born and adopted in the United States, a new or "amended" birth certificate replaces the OBC once the adoption is final. In addition to replacing the original, the names of the birth parents are also replaced with the names of the adoptive parents. Some states may also alter or omit additional information on a new certificate, including the adoptee's specific place of birth.

Depending on state law, an original birth certificate is sealed and remains unavailable to the adopted person, even when they become an adult. If you are not adopted, your original birth certificate is your only birth certificate---and it is always available to you upon request.