Adoption Rights for the Adoptee

Adoption rights for the adoptee are currently the subject of much controversy. In the United States, there are only a few states that allow adoptees access to medical information and original birth certificates. Some people feel that the adult adoptee has a constitutional right to this information, while others feel that allowing this would violate the privacy rights of the birth parents.

Information Available to Adult Adoptees

The information that is made available to adopted persons varies from state to state. Some information that may be included is the date and place of the adopted person's birth, age of biological parents and a general description of their appearance. The race and medical history of the birth parents may also be included. In most states, the original birth certificate and adoption records are sealed after the adoption is finalized. The birth certificate is changed to show the names of the adoptive parents instead of the birth parents. Adult adoptees are required to have a court order to obtain access to their original birth certificates.

Access to Birth Records

The laws passed to seal birth certificates and adoption records were created after World War II to protect the privacy of the birth mother in a time when adoption was stigmatized. The United States and Canada are behind many other countries in opening adoption records to adult adoptees. Scotland, England, Sweden and Germany are a few of the many countries that do not prevent adult adoptees from accessing birth certificates.

Effects on Adult Adoptees

Adult adoptees are the only group of Americans denied access to their birth records. It is argued that this is in violation of their basic human and civil rights. Many believe that adult adoptees should have access to their medical histories and the ability to know who they are.