Access Massachusetts
An Act granting equal access to original birth certificates to all persons born in Massachusetts was signed into law by Governor Baker on 8/5/2022. All adoptees born in MA, regardless of date of birth, have access to their own original birth certificates, effective 11/3/2022!
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics has updated its website to reflect the new law and the revised application form.
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-pre-adoption-birth-record
We extend endless thanks to everyone who has worked to make this happen, but especially to our sponsors, Senator Anne Gobi, Representative Sean Garballey, and Representative Kate Hogan. Click here to read the bills' history during the 2021-2022 session.
Resources - learn more
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ACCESS MASSACHUSETTS DOCUMENTS:
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Access MA Frequently Asked Questions
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Letter of Support - Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
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2022 Frequently Asked Questions
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS and INFORMATION:
Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/aaaa/academy
Adoptee Rights Coalition https://www.adopteerightscoalition.com
ARC How to Order Records by State https://www.adopteerightscoalition.com/how-to-request-records-by-state
American Adoption Congress: www.americanadoptioncongress.org
Concerned United Birthparents: www.cubirthparents.org
Donaldson Adoption Institute: http://adoptioninstitute.org
National Adoption Clearinghouse: http://www.adoption.org/adopt/national-adoption-clearinghouse.php
North American Council on Adoptable Children: http://www.nacac.org/
Child Welfare Information Gateway (overview of state adoption statutes nationwide): http://www.childwelfare.gov/
Child Welfare Information Gateway (OBC access by state) https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/infoaccessap.pdf
International Soundex Reunion Registry http://www.isrr.net
A.L.M.A. (Adoptees Liberty Movement Association): http://www.almasociety.org
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STATE ORGANIZATIONS:
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Colorado - Adoption Search Resource Connection https://www.asrconline.org
Connecticut - Access Connecticut: http://accessconnecticut.org
Indiana - H.E.A.R. (Hoosiers for Equal Access to Records) http://www.indianahear.org
Maine - Truth in Adoption Maine https://www.facebook.com/pg/Truth-In-Adoption-Maine
Minnesota Coalition for Adoption Reform: http://mnadoptreform.org/
Missouri - missouriadopteerightsmovement.com
New Jersey – CARE: http://nj-care.org
New York – Adopt Equality http://www.nyadoptionequality.org
Unsealed Initiative: http://unsealedinitiative.org
North Carolina – Coalition for Adoption Reform: http://adoptionreform-nc.org/
Ohio - ROAR: https://sites.google.com/site/adoptionequityohio/the-bill-has-passed
Oklahoma Open original birth certificates for all adopted adults - https://www.facebook.com/pg/Oklahoma-Open-original-birth-certificates-for-all-adopted-adults
Pennsylvania - http://www.pennsylvaniaadopteerights.org/p/adoptee-rights.html
Rhode Island - http://www.obcforri.org
Texas - STAR (Support Texas Adoptee Rights) - http://www.texasadopteerights.org
ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS:
Samuels, Elizabeth J., Surrender and Subordination: Birth Mothers and Adoption Law Reform (2013). 20 Michigan Journal of Gender and Law 33 (2013). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2233400
FOR THE RECORDS: Restoring a Legal Right for Adult Adoptees. Donaldson Adoption Institute. (2007). http://adoptioninstitute.org/old/publications/2007_11_For_Records.pdf
FOR THE RECORDS II: An Examination of the History and Impact Of Adult Adoptee Access to Original Birth Certificates. Donaldson Adoption Institute http://adoptioninstitute.org/old/publications/7_14_2010_ForTheRecordsII.pdf
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Let’s Adopt Reform Report: Adoption in America Today, Donaldson Adoption Institute. (2016). http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Lets-Adopt-Reform-Report.pdf
Luce, Gregory, THE (SOMETIMES) UGLY POLITICS OF ADOPTEE RIGHTS
http://gregoryluce.com/blog/ugly-politics-adult-adoptees/
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FILMS/VIDEOS:
POV: three adoption films: http://pbs.org/pov/adoption/
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Jean Strauss Films: http://www.jeanstrauss.com/films/
A Simple Piece of Paper www.asimplepieceofpaper.com
ADOPTED: for the life of me www.adoptedforthelifeofme.com
Vital Records http://vimeo.com/12476393
Four Birthmothers For Mothers https://vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel/119964199
Why We Are HEAR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2bXynlYLo0&feature=youtu.be
BOOKS:
Ann Fessler: Ann’s bestselling book, The Girls Who Went Away, provided a much-needed window to the experience of women who lost their children through adoption in the middle of the twentieth century. http://www.thegirlswhowentaway.com/
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Jean Strauss: "Birthright: A Guide to Search and Reunion", has over 70 stories within its pages - and the majority are of adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents and family members from Massachusetts. http://www.jeanstrauss.com/films/birthright-the-guide-to-search-and-reunion/​
MUSICIANS:
Darryl McDaniels: DMC – My Adoption Journey, is available on his website.
http://www.me-dmc.com/index.cfm/pk/content/pid/4391
Zara Phillips: author, filmmaker, songwriter and singer English-born Zara Phillips teamed up with Darryl McDaniels for the single “I’m Legit” in 2009. http://www.zarahphillips.com/