Original Birth Certificates

Most people in the world have one birth certificate. Nearly all adopted persons have two.

Texas

First published on March 12, 2017 • Last updated on March 12, 2023

Adoptee rights and Texas law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

South Dakota

First published on March 11, 2017 • Last updated on August 15, 2023

Adoptee rights and South Dakota law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

South Carolina

First published on March 10, 2017 • Last updated on November 14, 2024

Adoptee rights and South Carolina law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

Rhode Island

First published on March 9, 2017 • Last updated on November 21, 2022

Adoptee rights and Rhode Island law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

Pennsylvania

First published on March 9, 2017 • Last updated on November 10, 2023

Adoptee rights and Oregon law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

Oregon

First published on March 9, 2017 • Last updated on November 14, 2024

Adoptee rights and Oregon law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

Ohio

First published on March 9, 2017 • Last updated on November 23, 2022

Adoptee rights and Ohio law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

North Carolina

First published on March 8, 2017 • Last updated on March 4, 2023

Adoptee rights and North Carolina law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

North Dakota

First published on March 8, 2017 • Last updated on July 27, 2023

Adoptee rights and North Dakota law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

New Mexico

First published on March 8, 2017 • Last updated on April 27, 2024

Adoptee rights and New Mexico law, with a focus on original birth certificates, court records, descendants, and adult adoption.

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.

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