Recently Maine passed a new law that will allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

As it currently stands, the adoptee’s original birth certificate is sealed and a new one is issued with the final adoption decree bearing the names of the adoptive parents. But the new law gives adult adoptees the right to receive a copy of their original birth certificate which bears the name of their birthmother and sometimes birthfather depending on the circumstances. Also under this law, this law birth parents can fill out preference forms that will tell the children they gave up for adoption years ago if they wish to be contacted or not. Those who fill out preference forms will fill out medical information forms as well.
The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2008. Maine will become the eighth state allowing adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

A group called OCB for ME (Original Birth Certificates for Maine) has worked for three years to get this law passed. This group consists of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents.

Also instrumental in getting this legislation passed was Senator Paula Benoit. Senator Benoit was adopted as a baby herself and by her own account grew up happy and loved but she felt a little emptiness and longing to know her birthparents so she began lobbying her fellow lawmakers. She was able to provide fellow lawmakers with an adoptee’s perspective. While lobbying, Senator Benoit uncovered her biological heritage and found out coincidentally that two of the Democratic lawmakers she has been working with are her nephews! Unfortunately both of her birthparents are deceased.

Senator Benoit’s story is just one example of how this new law will make finding birthparents easier on adoptees.




Sources: Portland Press Herald, July 14th, 2007
Portland Press Herald, July 22, 2007