Do you know where your state stands in regards to open birth certificates for adoptees?

Question

If you do, could you enlighten me?

Does your state have open records?

Is it in the works, for example petitioning for open birth certificates?

Or is there nothing going on in your state regarding obc.

My state is WI---still closed obc's and nothing in the works that i know of.

Answer 1

MN has the ability to petition for the OBC, but it must be OK'd by the parents recorded on the OBC, or you must get a court order.

OH has no open records except by court order. (so his Mamma got us copies before it was sealed!)

MI was still sealed except by court order when my SIL was searching.. don't know now....

Answer 2

Oregon is an open records state.

I'd like to support other states in opening their records.  I sign whatever comes my way, and try to keep up on whatever's going on, whenever I get the chance.

Answer 3

I am in NH and they already have open records.

If you are looking to get the ball rolling in your state you could trying contacting Paula Benoit she is the state senator that helped get the legislation passed recently in Maine.

Answer 4

I'm in wisconsin as well.  And if you want non-identifying information, I believe it's $300.  If you want identifying information, I believe it's an extra 200 or 300... plus the first parents (birth parents, natural parents, which ever term you prefer) have to give consent.  If they can't find them, no info for you.  If they say no, then no info for you.

It sucks ***.

You live in WI.  Where in WI were you born?  I was born in Wausau but was adopted to a family living in Milwaukee.

Answer 5

In my family (immediate, adopted) there are 3 of us.  Our states are as follows:

Born in California - Closed

Adopted in Utah -  Closed

REUNITED ANYWAY!

Born in Massachusetts - Closed

Adopted in Utah - Closed

REUNITED ANYWAY!

Born in Arizona - Closed (but has a "CI" program)

Adopted in Utah - Closed

Still searching...

Hmmmm...You think the agency knew something our parents didn't?  

*sigh*

My heart is broken (every time I think about it) for my one sibling that hasn't found/received any information on 'sib's origins.  'Sib' has even LESS info than the scant, meager, pathetic pickings that we other two had.

BTW, we are reunited, but not "restored".  We are still denied our birth records.

Answer 6

I am ashamed to say I don't know where MI stands. I know it is a big issue, but since I have a copy of my son's OBC, it doesn't affect him too much. I am pretty sure they are sealed, but I am not positive.

I know...It doesn't make it right that I don't even know!!

Answer 7

Senator Paula Benoit is also an adopted citizen.  She did great work in her state of Maine, but of course has no say in any other state.

I was adopted and currently live in California.  California was one of the first states to begin sealing records, doing so in 1935.   We still have closed records.  An adopted citizen can only obtain his or her original birth record via court order.  Such order is only granted for "good cause."  "Good cause" is a concept that has no legal definition.  It is up to the judge handling the petition to decide whether or not a petition constitutes "good cause."  

A few years ago, there was legislation to open records, but we currently don't have anything.  We are, however, discussing bringing forth legislation once more.  Senator Darrell Steinberg (D, 6th district) is arguable our greatest legislative opponent.  He does hold quite a bit of power in the Senate, so it will be an upward battle, indeed.