Should AP's be given a copy of an adult adoptee's OBC?

Felicita1

Natural parents should have the right to a copy of the original birth registration, which THEY themselves signed. At any age, they should be able to have the birth record of any child they gave birth to. This is pre-adoption information, when the baby''s mother was still her legal mother and no other mothers were legally involved.

Plus, as in Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland (and soon to be Ontario), natural parents should be able to obtain a copy of the ABC of their ADULT child who was lost to adoption as an infant, with adoptive parents' names deleted. Same with adoptees obtaining OBC's, which they can. But there is a veto process because in these provinces, it's acknowledged that a person's name belongs to them, so the adoptee or the natural parent can file a veto to maintain privacy. The adoptee still gets their birth record, with their original name and the whole adoption file, and the name of the parent(s) who did not file a veto.

It is fair, it is equal, and it is access. Adults can find the adult loved ones and family members they lost to adoption. It recognizes that in most cases, neither mother nor child had a choice in the separation.

Gershom

I believe natural parents in all states should have access to amended and original birth certificates for adoptees. Adoption isn't the witness protection program, if a parent has abused their child ( because I hear the arguments that the children were abused or their father stole their social security number etc. ) then a new system needs to be created and implemented to protect those individuals, however the group as a whole shouldn't be punished because of the wrongdoings of another like the examples above.

LaurieDB

To me, it depends on whether or not birth certificates are public record in the given state. For example, here in California, they are public record.

"Anyone may obtain an informational certified copy of a birth or death record. The record is for informational purposes only and may not be used to establish identity. Informational copies will have the following words printed across the face of the document: INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITYâ€
http://www.ccr.saccounty.net/B_DCertOrder.asp?BD=Birth&Type=Informational&Copies=individual

I applied for and received other peoples' birth records (info only copies) in California while searching for my siblings. I did so in order to establish whether or not the people I thought were my siblings were, in fact, my siblings. (After verifying, I shredded the documents.)

In California, therefore, I see no problem with an AP receiving an information only copy of the record. Of course, I believe that the first parents should be able to access it in these cases, as well.

I do not believe AP's have a right to the OBC in states where the records aren't available without restriction.

ETA:
Sly, I should have been more specific in my response. Obviously I realize that the record is sealed (therefore no public record) in most states. However, my response means that the record should be treated the same as any other birth record -- NOT SEALED. ;-)

I don't believe in sealing OBC's at all. I also don't believe in issuing amended birth records.

But, since they are sealed, I think they should be treated the same as non-public birth records. In that case, they should all be treated as I suggested above for states that don't have public birth records. They should be available to the adopted persons, the first parents, the AP's and siblings (those by birth and those by adoption) and children of the adopted person. This is because parents, siblings and offspring of the person to whom the record pertains are normally the people allowed to access copies of the record in states that have non-public birth records.

Gaia Raain

I think it's really, really not ok that you can't have your own child's birth certificate. And I think that if AP's didn't need the child's OBC the whole time they were growing up, there's no reason for them to need it when they're adults.

amyburt40

I think all parties should have a copy of each. Its only fair. I think both parties should get a copy of what they signed or didn't sign for (in your situation). Mothers should receive a copy of the relinquishment. Adoptive parents should receive a copy of the finalization. The adoption concerns the mother, father, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents. All should get a copy minus personal private information. What I mean by that is medical information(like doctors notes in the medical file) and financial information (adoptive parents).

Independ"ant"

As far as I'm concerned all nmothers should be told where their child is living at all times and how they are doing up until the age of 18. How many selfish Paps hunting down infants would this get rid off.

The 18 rule is bogus and should be amended to when the adoptee asks for it. There is no need to make a child wait longer than necessary.
Original birth certificates shouldn't be amended, its serves no purpose and should be available to both the adoptee and nmother when they ask for it.

It beats me why so many paps, aps and the adoption society are against it.

Its a god given right and selfish humans with personal agendas are interfering with it.

How many adoptees and nmothers in reunion is it going to take for them to get they are interfering with nature.

sunny

But Sly, when you buy a car, you get the 'pink slip', right?

And I'm sure slave owners had some sort of proof of possession, too.

Kazi

Personally I think an adult should have access to their own records, including OBC and they can decide who to share that with. I don't believe it should automatically be given to either set of parents without the adult adoptees permission.

Speaking for myself, as I am very sentimental, I would love a copy to add to my keepsake collection of my children's lives.

Shelly P. Tofu, E.M.T.

You need to re-think where you direct your anger.

Sorry I keep amending my answer.. I keep coming back, trying say what I want to say more clearly.

The issue should be either.. can parents have their adult child's Birth Certificate, or no? We're talking someone like my mother, who gave birth AND raised me.

No parents should be treated differently

So, if a person who gave birth to and raised a child is allowed access to the child's BC after the child is an adult, then that rule should apply for all parents (first parents, aparents, and biological parents who also raise the child.) If they are NOT allowed, then the same rule should apply for all.

The OBC is not the firstmother's "Information" it has her name on it, but technically it is not "her information" it is the CHILD's information. But I believe all parents need and should have aceess to it. That includes you.. that includes APs...

The parent who raises the child definitely NEEDS the child's BC, when the child is a minor. I donot believe in ammended BC, and wish that law would be changed. There should be only one Birth Certificate for any child, wiith the names of his/her biological parents.

Now, I agree completely that it is unjust that you and other firstmothers cannot access that OBC, no matter the child's age. You are the mother as well.

But just because you are unjustly denied access to your child's OBC doesn't mean the AP should be too.

That's just a petty, shallow "hate" mentality

Let's fix the PROBLEM. No ammended BC, all parents have access to it.

medusa

They probably don't want you contacting your child in the case that he doesn't want to know you. I'm not trying to be mean, but they probably try to think of the child first.

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