Additional Issues and Birth Records

Vital records, including birth records, are kept by each state.  Access to birth and adoption records may be limited by the laws of the state in which the birth mother and birth father reside. In many states, adoption records are sealed and withheld from public inspection after the adoption is finalized.

The page Access to Records will  help you understand access issues. The page Birth Records Information for Birth Mothers will give a birth mother or birth father a place to contact in order to obtain important records.

This Registry Information link is a resource that can help unite a birth mother and/or birth father with their adopted child. Many states have a registry and, if your state has one, it may be found at this site. This site will also give you other interesting ideas regarding adoption registries.

Search and Reunion involves a birth mother or birth father searching for a child they placed for adoption and for the adopted child searching for their birth mother or birth father.