For the first time since 1984, PA adoptees can request to receive a noncertified copy of their original birth certificate.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who can apply?
PA born adoptees, 18 or older, and has a high school diploma/GED can request a noncertified copy of their OBC. Lineal descendants of the adopted individual may also request a copy. No other individual, including adopted parents or birth parents, will be considered eligible.
What’s the process?
Adopted individuals must submit an Adoptee’s Application for Noncertified Copy of Original Birth Record to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. After the application is submitted it will take 45 days to process. If you applied prior to Nov. 3, 2017, you will receive your noncertified copy of original birth record by Dec. 18, 2017. Once your application is accepted, the Department of Health will conduct extensive research based upon the information on your application.
After their research is completed, you will receive one of the following documents:
Noncertified Copy of Birth Certificate
If your birth record was registered in Pennsylvania, you will be issued a noncertified copy of your original birth record. The document will include your original birth name, birth date, county of birth, and name(s) and age(s) of birth parents.
The birth parent’s names will be included, unless a birth parent was not recorded or they chose to have their name redacted.
Statement of No Found Record
If the Department of Health is unable to locate a birth record for you, they will issue a statement of no record found. Pennsylvania Department of Health will not have an adoptee’s birth record if the adoptee was born outside of Pennsylvania, even if adopted in Pennsylvania. If you were born outside of Pennsylvania, you must contact the state or country of your birth to inquire about obtaining a copy of your original birth record.
Information For Birth Parents
Birth parents wishing to redact their names from the adoptee’s birth record, must submit the Department of Health’s Name Redaction Request Form and complete the PA Adoption Information Registry’s Form. Once a birth parent’s name has been redacted, it will not be included on the noncertified copy of the original birth record provided to the adopted individual.
For more information visit: http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Adoption.aspx#.WgIQlVtSyUk
