Current law in Massachusetts and Vermont deny adult adoptees the basic right to obtain their own truths. Our coalition is working to change that. Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have restored to adult adoptees the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth records. Learn more about each state.
Massachusetts Law
Enacted Legislation! Legislation to remove the “donut-hole” in Massachusetts law—a legal hole that denies any right to the OBC to those born between 1974 and 2008—has been passed and enacted! The legislation eliminates the date-based restrictions in providing original birth certificates to adult adoptees. It is effective November 3, 2022. Get updates on this legislation and others here.…
Vermont Law
Vermont does not recognize adult adoptees’ unrestricted right to their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information from Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Vermont’s adoption registry allows disclosure of identifying information on a date-based…
New Hampshire Law
Adopted people in New Hampshire who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a non-certified copy of their own original birth certificate. 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…
Maine Law
Adult adoptees in Maine have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates upon request. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine allows a birth parent to file a contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. The contact preference form does…
Rhode Island Law
Adult adoptees in Rhode Island, at age 18, have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates upon request. Birthparents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Rhode Island’s family court system also maintains a Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry. From 25 to 18 S250A, enacted into law…
Connecticut Law
Effective July 1, 2021, all Connecticut-born adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Identifying information may be available to adult adoptees in Connecticut, subject to birth parent consent. New Equal Rights Law in Connecticut: A FAQAdoptee…