How to Get Your Original Adoption Birth Certificate
An original adoption birth certificate is issued to a child after the child has been adopted. This birth certificate is an amended version of the original birth certificate that was issued when the child was born. The original adoption birth certificate states the child's adoptive name, as well as the names of the adoptive parents, which reads as if they are the biological parents. It is indistinguishable from any other birth certificate and reads exactly the same as the certificates that are issued when a child is born. This original adoptive birth certificate is filed as public record. Locating an original adoptive birth certificate requires only some time and research skills.
Instructions
Open adoption states
Locate the state the child was born in and the agency that the child was adopted from. Find out if the state is an open adoption state, in which identifying information is shared with the adopting family, or a closed adoption state, in which no identifying information is shared with the adopting family. Contact the adoptive agency and request a copy of the original adoption birth certificate on file. If they do not have one, request a copy of the original birth certificate issued at the time of birth (only available in open adoption states). Contact the state department of vital records. Request a copy of the original adoption birth certificate. If the adoption certificate is not on file, request a copy of the original birth certificate issued at birth (only available in open adoption states). Take the original birth certificate to the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration in the state in which the child was born. Request a copy of your original adoption birth certificate as they will have all records and documents related to the adoption on file. Closed adoption states
According to www.childwelfare.gov, 26 states currently are closed adoption states and will require a court order to obtain sealed adoption records. Obtain a court order to break the seal that was placed on the adoptive records at the time of adoption. Visit the clerk's office in the town where the adoption was finalized. File a petition with the clerk's office requesting access to the child's adoption records. Include a detailed account of the reasons why this request is being made, such as the need for proper identification for medical reasons, to obtain a social security card or driver's license, etc. State your case to the judge who will hear the case once the petition has been filed properly. Explain all the reasons why the original and adoption birth certificates are being requested. Obtain a signed order from the judge that authorizes the release of these documents. Order both the original and adoption birth certificates from the Department of Vital Records in the state in which the child was born by sending a written request along with the authorization papers form the judge.
