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New Jersey Adoption Records

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Accessing New Jersey Adoption Records

A law was passed in New Jersey that allows adoptees to access their original birth certificates. However, the law also gave birth parents the option to remove their names if they didn’t want to be identified.

Other New Jersey adoption records are sealed, making learning more about an adoption difficult. If you’ve run into problems accessing information, Adopted.com can offer some help.

Our voluntary adoption reunion registry allows adoptees and their birth relatives to connect through mutual consent. To join the registry, you just need to answer ten simple questions about the adoption, which most people already know. Once you register, you can quickly start connecting with your matches immediately, without the red tape.

We have the largest voluntary adoption reunion registry in the United States. Whether you’re in Atlantic City, Newark, or any other part of New Jersey, you have the potential to find your birth family. Register today with Adopted.com, a community where reunions happen every day.

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Currently, there are
6,950
members searching in New Jersey

Is New Jersey a Closed Adoption State?

New Jersey has historically been a closed adoption state, but in 2017, a new law made it easier for adoptees to access information. Adult adoptees in the state can now obtain their original birth certificates without a court order. The law gave birth parents three years to redact their names from these documents if they wanted to stay anonymous.

What Happens to the Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in New Jersey?

After an adoption is finalized in New Jersey, the state issues an amended birth certificate, also known as an official birth certificate. This document lists the child’s adoptive parents, not their birth parents. The official birth certificate becomes the child’s legal birth record. The original birth certificate is sealed as part of the adoption record.

How to Get Adoption Records in New Jersey

In New Jersey, adult adoptees can request a copy of their original birth certificate from the New Jersey Registrar of Vital Statistics. You don’t need a court order to obtain this document.

To obtain your original birth certificate, complete the Application for an Uncertified Copy of an Adopted Person’s Original Birth Record. Mail the application to the address listed. You’ll need to include an acceptable form of identification and a fee. If you want multiple copies, there’s a fee per additional copy.

Once the state processes your request, you’ll receive an uncertified copy of your original birth certificate. This document will contain your birth parents’ names, as long as they didn’t choose to redact their information before Dec. 31, 2016. Birth parents can no longer remove their names from original birth certificates.

Original birth certificates are not public adoption records in New Jersey. However, a few people besides the adoptee can request a copy of this record. They include:

  • An adoptee’s spouse, sibling, or direct descendent (child or grandchild)
  • An adoptive parent or legal guardian
  • An adoptee’s legal representative

If you’re a birth parent in New Jersey, you cannot access adoption records, but you can complete a contact preference form. This form states if and how you want to have contact with the adoptee. If you complete this form and the adoptee requests their original birth certificate, they’ll also receive your contact preferences.

Birth parents can complete a contact preference form at any time. If you choose to complete the form, you must also submit a family history information form. This form asks about your medical, cultural, and social history.

Are Adoption Records Open in New Jersey?

No, adoption records are closed in New Jersey. However, the state allows some access to specific records. Anyone adopted in New Jersey can obtain their original birth certificate once they turn 18. Some relatives can also obtain copies of an original birth certificate, including an adoptee’s spouse, child, and sibling.

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Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!

Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,258,762 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.

Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.

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RECENT MEMBERS IN New Jersey

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Reunions

Erin
Augusta, United States of America

I was matched with my birth mother just minutes after setting up my profile. It turns out that she had been searching for me for years. It's been a joy to connect with her and the rest of my biological family.

Sarah
Buffalo, New York

I found my children after 30 years, not long after I joined! I'm glad to say it's been a happy ending to my search

Cheryl
San Diego, California

54 years it took us until we found each other. We did a DNA test to confirm! Perfect match. We spent two weeks together and have a blessed, wonderful relationship! We even look alike in so many ways. She is more than I was expecting! Thank you for your website, Adopted.com!

Rosezetta
Wadesboro, North Carolina

I was looking for the mother of my daughter in law, and found both her mother and also grandmother in only 3 days. They are planning a reunion soon. Thank you soooooo much!

Amy
Tracy, California

I found all 3 of my siblings and met them in a week. My life has changed forever! One lives in Tracy and the other two are in North Dakota.

Hollie
Northampton, Massachusetts

Took me about 2 hrs to find a match. I contacted him and he is my brother! Thank you so much!

KIM
MODESTO, California

Within 24 hours my siblings and I were on the phone with our long lost sister.  Without Adopted.com it would have never happened.  We are sincerely grateful as we are now all a part of each other's lives!

Kara
Springfield, Missouri

I filled out my profile and had a match to my birth parents that same day! We connected on Facebook and talked for a while to confirm that the match was accurate and it was! We are all very excited to get to know each other!

Kathy
Jacksonville, Florida

I have found my daughter!  I got on adopted.com on Friday about 8pm. I had 6 matches‚ I sent out 3 messages and my daughter Karen was the first one to reply. By 9pm we were emailing each other. She looks just like me. I can't believe this has happened. Thank you adopted.com for this successful reunion!

Daniel
Moorhead, Minnesota

I have been searching off and on for a possible biological son since 2009‚ and found him recently due to a message he left on Adopted.com. He is extremely similar to me and my other son‚ and looks a lot like me! These past few days have been the best ever.

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