Adoption records access is about equal rights
Records access is NOT about search & reunion, relationships or inheritance. It's about identity! All we ask is for an unredacted copy of the legal and medical record of our birth. This is something most Americans take for granted but adoptees cannot access in most states. Long after we reach the age of 21, adoptees are treated as children by the law. Unable to participate in the decision that forever altered the course of our lives as children, we are, as adults, forbidden even to review the decisions that were made on our behalf, supposedly for our welfare. In some states, the biological parent who was persuaded to relinquish us as an infant is consulted to determine if we may know the truth of our origins. The facts of one's birth are among the most intimate details of one's life but if you are adopted, that information is closed to you in most states. Our mission is to change the status quo.
Learn more about why records access is important
Records access varies by state
At present seven states offer open or semi-open records: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, Oregon and Tennessee. In other states adopted persons are provided with a fraudulent birth certificate under their adopted name and showing the adoptive parents as the natural parents of the child.
Find out about adoption records access in your state
Media and Legislators
We encourage legislators and media professionals to learn more about adoption records and why equal and unrestricted access is the only fair solution.
For More Information
GRC_Update provides links to adoption-related media. Contributions welcome. Please send URL and article to GRC_UPDATE-owner@yahoogroups.com. For more information about the Green Ribbon Campaign For Open Records, please contact us at info@campaign4openrecords.org.
