Changes in the Adoption Law Regarding Birth Certificates

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On May 27, 2014, a new law took effect that will allow adoptees and certain relatives to request and obtain the names of their biological parents beginning January 1, 2017. Authorized individuals may obtain an uncertified copy of an adoptee’s original birth certificate without obtaining a Superior Court Order. Any birth parents who wished to preserve their privacy, had to submit a Redaction Request Form to the New Jersey Department of Health no later than December 31, 2016. By filing this form, birth parents were able to keep their names off any documents provided by the State to adoptees or anyone else.

For more information, please visit Children & Families and read the details under the Adoption and Foster Care tab.