Adoptees in New York will have access to birth certificates on 18th birthday under new law

ALBANY — Accessing birth records is no longer an issue for adopted New Yorkers.

Adoptees can receive a certified birth certificate with information about their biological parents when they turn 18 thanks to a measure signed into law Thursday by Gov. Cuomo.

The law removes the right of government agencies to restrict the type of information made available to adoptees and will help people who were adopted to identify medical data that can aid in fighting preventable diseases or other health issues.

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“Where you came from informs who you are, and every New Yorker deserves access to the same birth records — it’s a basic human right,” Cuomo said. “For too many years, adoptees have been wrongly denied access to this information and I am proud to sign this legislation into law and correct this inequity once and for all.”

Previously, a birth certificate was sealed once an adoption was filed. In order for the records to be unsealed, an adoptee was forced to petition the courts and their biological parents, who had to consent in order for the information to be released.

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