"Adoption Loss is the only trauma in the world where the victims are expected by the whole of society to be grateful."
- The Reverend Keith C. Griffith, MBE

Educator   Author   Advocate for Family and Belonging

As an educator and doctoral candidate, I am deeply committed to supporting adoptive and foster families, both in and out of the classroom. With a focus on advocacy and research, my passion is to bring their unique experiences to light—especially within our school systems. I believe that these families have vital stories to share, and that their voices can help educators, counselors, and the broader community improve the practices we use to serve them.

As an adoptee myself, I understand firsthand the challenges many children face, such as navigating feelings of shame, secrecy, or the struggle to fit in. I have experienced these emotions, and I believe open conversations about adoption and fostering can lead to profound healing, joy, and a stronger sense of belonging for children and families alike.

​There are people willing to offer their support to adoptive and foster families; they just need better insight into their needs and how they can make a positive impact. I aim to be that bridge, educating teachers, businesses, religious groups, and other organizations on how to embrace this conversation with compassion and understanding. Let’s break the silence around adoption and start using kind, thoughtful words to uplift and support these families on their journey. Together, we can create environments where adoptive and foster families feel seen, heard, and valued.

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Access to Original Birth Certificates for NJ Adoptees

Discover the ongoing fight for adoptee rights in New Jersey with insights from adoption advocate Pam Hasegawa. Learn why NJ is an access state, the importance of preserving legislative victories, and how we can ensure future generations understand their rights. Explore our dedicated NJ access information page for resources and advocacy tools. #AdopteeRights #NewJerseyAccess #AdoptionAdvocacy

When did the law change, and what does it mean for adoptees? On May 27, 2014, amendments to the Vital Statistics Act (P.L. 2014, c. 9) were signed into law. These changes allow adult adoptees and certain family members to obtain a non-certified copy of the adopted person’s original birth certificate (OBC) while protecting birth parents’ privacy under specific conditions.
When can adoptees obtain their original birth certificates?

• If adopted on or after November 19, 1940, the original birth certificate was sealed and could only be accessed by court order. Under the new law, beginning January 2017, an adult adoptee can request a non-certified copy of their OBC.
• If adopted before November 19, 1940, the OBC has always been accessible upon request without a court order.

Who Can Request an Original Birth Certificate? Eligible individuals include:

• The adult adoptee
• A direct descendant, sibling, or spouse of the adoptee
• An adoptive parent, legal guardian, or legal representative
• A state or federal agency for official purposes

Note: The OBC is not open to the general public.
How to Request an Original Birth Certificate Where can I get the application form?

• The Application for an Uncertified Copy of an Adopted Person’s Original Birth Record ([REG 41]) is available on the Department of Health’s website.
• Completed forms must be mailed to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry (OVSR) along with proof of identity, proof of relationship (if applicable), and payment.

Do adoptees need to appear in person?No. All requested certificates are mailed to the applicant. In-person pickup is not available.
How long does it take to process a request?

• Requests involve manual searches through sealed paper records dating back to the 1940s.
• The OVSR must also review birth parent contact preferences and redactions before releasing the OBC.
• Turnaround times depend on request volume.

Birth Parent Rights & Privacy Protections Can birth parents redact their information?Yes, but only if they submitted a redaction request by December 31, 2016. No new redaction requests will be accepted after this date.
Prior to Dec. 31, 2016, what options did birth parents have beyond redacting their information? Birth parents could have specified a contact preference.Yes. Birth parents had the option to submit a Contact Preference Form indicating:

• Direct contact
• Contact through an intermediary
• No contact at this time

If a contact preference form was submitted, the birth parent were to provide a Family History Information Form with medical, cultural, and social history details.
Where can birth parents find these forms?At the time the Contact Preference Form and Family History Questionnaire were available on the Department of Health’s website.
What happens if a birth parent does not submit a contact preference?If no preference was submitted before the OBC is released, the adoptee may attempt direct contact with the birth parent.
What Will the Applicant Receive?

• A non-certified copy of the original birth certificate (for informational use only, not for legal identification).
• If the birth parents provided family history details, this information will also be included.
• If a birth parent requested redaction, the OBC will have the identifying information blacked out.

What is redaction?Redaction means obscuring or removing sensitive information from a document. Redacted details will be covered with a black box.
Additional Information & Requirements Do birth parents have to complete any forms?Participation was voluntary. However, if a birth parent submitted a Contact Preference Form, they must also submit a Family History Information Form.
What is an intermediary?An intermediary is a person or agency that serves as a go-between for communication between the birth parent and the adoptee.
Can adoptees request birth parents' vital records (birth, marriage, or death certificates)?No. Adoption legally severs the familial relationship, so adoptees do not meet the legal criteria to obtain certified copies of birth parents’ vital records under N.J.S.A. 26:8-62.
Will the OVSR notify intermediaries?If a birth parent lists an agency as an intermediary, the OVSR will notify them. However, if the intermediary is an individual, the birth parent must notify them directly.
What identification is required to obtain an original birth certificate?Applicants must provide valid identification, such as:

• A current, valid photo ID (driver’s license, non-driver’s license, passport)
• A legal birth certificate
• Two alternate forms of ID (e.g., vehicle registration, bank statement, tax return, utility bill, etc.)
• If the adoptee’s last name changed due to marriage/civil union, a certified marriage/civil union certificate is required.

Counseling & Support Resources For adoptees and birth parents seeking support, the following organizations provide counseling:

• NJ Mental Health Cares: www.njmentalhealthcares.org | 866-202-4357 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 8 PM)
• NJ Adoption Resource Clearing House (NJ ARCH): www.njarch.org | 1-877-427-2465
• 24/7 Confidential Support: 1-855-654-6735
• Diocese of Metuchen Catholic Charities Counseling Services:
  • Middlesex County: 800-655-9491
  • Hunterdon County: 908-782-7905
  • Warren County: 908-454-2074
  • Somerset County: 908-722-1881

Processing & Timeline

• The OVSR is actively processing requests and will begin mailing records starting January 3, 2017.
• Birth parent redaction requests postmarked by December 31, 2016, may take a few days to process due to holiday delays.
• Additional adoptee applications may be delayed to ensure compliance with birth parent requests.

Medical Concerns If an adoptee receives medical history information that raises concerns, they should consult their physician for further evaluation.

This FAQ provides a clear overview of the changes to vital records laws, the rights of adoptees and birth parents, and the process for requesting original birth certificates in NJ. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.

**You can find information about the legislative status in other states by visiting the Links tab located in the footer of the website.