There are several states that currently have open adoption records. In these states, an adult adoptee can obtain an original birth certificate and in some instances additional adoption record information.

If you are an adoptee looking for your birth parents in an open adoption records state, please do request your open adoption records. However, obtaining your original birth records does not mean your search will be a piece of cake. Having information on your birth mother, such as her maiden name and perhaps an old address is a great start, but you will still have to obtain her current name and address information. Your birth mother may have changed her name several times, or she may not reside in the state where you were adopted.