Some obstacles still exist for adult adoptees seeking birth certificates

Assemblymember David Weprin sponsored the birth certificate legislation. Photo courtesy of Weprin’s Office.

By Noah Singer

New legislation that allows adoptees to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate from the State of New York still has a few hang ups. 

The law now provides adoptees with an official record of their biological parents’ names as well as information about their family’s medical history, but people born in New York City can only apply by mail. 

Queens Assemblymember David Weprin is asking the city to let adoptees have the option to file in-person or online, according to NY1. The Health Department said it currently could take up to four months for each applicant to receive the document. 

“I’m not trying to shame the city into acting quickly,” Weprin said. “Anything they can do to put more personnel on this and resolve the delay would be a significant benefit for those individuals adopted in New York City.”

Previously, adoptees had to petition the courts and obtain consent from their biological parents in order to attain a copy of the document, the New York Daily News reports. Starting on Wednesday, birth certificates will be available via a portal run by a company named Vitalchek, as well as by mail a phone request. 

“Every person has the right to know where they come from, and this new law grants all New Yorkers the same unrestricted rights to their original birth records,” Gov. Cuomo said. “After years of being denied this basic human right, adoptees will finally be able to obtain critical information about their origins, family histories and medical backgrounds."

The new law is sponsored by Weprin and retiring State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery. It also gives adoptees' lawful representatives or descendants access to the document if the adopted people are deceased. 

“This is a huge deal,” Weprin said. “So many people have been waiting for so many years to get their original birth certificate.”