New York Adoption Records
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New York State Adoption Records
Adoption records are sealed in New York, but the current law allows adoptees to access their original birth certificates once they turn 18. Your original birth certificate can answer some questions you may have about your past, such as your birth name and your birth parents’ names.
New York also has a state Adoption Registry to connect biological family members, including parents, adoptees, and siblings. If the birth parents and the adoptee both consent, the Adoption Registry can provide names, addresses, and other identifying information to make a reunion possible.
While the state provides opportunities to access some information, the process of getting your New York adoption records can be time-consuming and challenging.
It’s also possible to access records for adoptions facilitated by churches in New York, but keep in mind that, as with state adoptions, it’s difficult to get the needed information.
Adopted.com offers an easier way to search for your records. Our voluntary adoption registry is the largest in the U.S., spanning the bustling boroughs of New York City to the quiet towns upstate.
We provide a voluntary, secure way to reconnect with your birth parents or your biological child when you’re all ready for this step. To get started, you just need to answer ten simple questions that you’re likely to know about the adoption.
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22,328 Are Adoption Records Sealed in NY?
Yes, court adoption records in New York are sealed. However, a judge can unseal adoption records “on good cause” if notice has been given to the adoptive parents.
To begin the process of getting your New York adoption records unsealed, contact the Family Court or Surrogate Court in the county where the adoption took place (or borough, if the adoption occurred in New York City). You can also contact the agency that handled the adoption or the county Department of Social Services.
How Do I Get Access to Catholic Charities Adoption Records in New York?
Catholic Charities adoption records in New York are sealed under state law. However, you can contact the Catholic Charities agency involved in the adoption to request non-identifying information about your birth parents. This information can include your birth parents’ physical traits, ethnicity, race, education, and employment.
You may also be able to get non-identifying information by registering with the state Adoption Registry. Catholic Charities can release this information to the Adoption Registry by request.
What Happens to the Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in New York?
In New York, an adoptee’s original birth certificate is sealed and replaced with a new one that lists their adoptive parents. The amended version becomes the adoptee’s official birth certificate on file. The adoptee’s birth date and place of birth will not change on their amended birth certificate.
How Do I Find Adoption Records in NY?
New York state adoption records can only be unsealed by a judge’s order. However, if you were born and adopted in the state of New York, you can request a copy of your original birth certificate through the New York State Department of Health or online at VitalChek.com. If you were born in New York City, you can contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Birth parents cannot request copies of their child’s original birth certificate. The law only applies to adoptees over 18 and the following people:
- Direct line descendants (such as a child or grandchild) of a deceased adoptee
- A lawful representative of an adoptee
- A lawful representative of a deceased adoptee’s direct line descendant
If you’re a birth parent, an adoptee, or a biological sibling of an adoptee, you can also register with the New York State Department of Health Adoption Information Registry. The registry can share information with both the adoptee and the birth parents if everyone registers and consents. Birth parents can also provide medical information to be shared with adoptees.
It’s free to register, and you can receive medical information quickly if your birth parents have already provided it. Identifying information, however, can take much longer to get. Additionally, there’s no guarantee it will ever become available, since all parties need to register and consent to release.
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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 1,201,336 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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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within New York Who Chose To Be Featured
1. Scbysnack1 : FOUND - AUGUST 2022 Michigan‚ Muskegon‚ Grant‚ Washburn‚ Constance‚ Jerry‚ Loretta‚ Lima‚ Newaygo‚ Ken‚ Larry‚ Orville‚ Ravenna‚ White Cloud‚ Westbrook
2. Gmill89120 : I was born December 5, 1965 at St Vincents in NYC. My adoption was handled by NY Foundling Hospital. I received non identifying info from NYS adoption information registry. My mother was 21 and my father was 27 when I was born. She was Irish and he was Italian. She apparently intended to marry him, but she found out he was already married and severed relaionship and put me up for adoption. I was adopted by Hugh Sullivan and Ann Serenita Sullivan. In 1976, Ann passed away and Hugh remarried Jane Sullivan who then legally adopted me and my siblings again. I was fortunate to have loving families- parents , brothers, lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Somehow, I have always had this curiosity about my biological family , especially the possibility of sister(s) as I grew up in a family of 5 boys, I have 2 sons, and my husband comes from a family of 3 brothers.
3. Skeeter : My father and his twin sister were born 3/11/1957 in Erie New York . Looking for any family members
4. Jonesmcgee : Born & adopted in Syracuse NY.
5. Eandmmom : I was adopted through Catholic Charities in Binghamton, NY in 1970.
6. Athomas130 : Brother looking for older adopted full-blood brother born at Columbia Hospital for Women‚ Washington‚ D.C.‚ in March of 1967. It’s believed the adopting family was from NY (possibly NJ?)‚ and may have named their newly adopted son John (though it was Ivan at birth). The adopting parents may have divorced‚ and the adopting father lived in Baltimore. Grandmother from Texas visited the adopting family 6 months after birth to see her newly adopted grandson. Our parents went on to marry‚ and eventually had myself‚ and another son‚ who has since passed. Looking to pass on family health history and reconnect if desired. -abt
7. Cindy03 : Baby Girl born March 26, 1978 at Geneva General Hospital Geneva New York 14456 Last name of adopted parents Stahl or Stall ?spelling adoption took place in Buffalo, New York
8. ShariGoodstein : My brother was adopted in a private adoption at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset on April 5, 1969.
9. Jwstewart2002 : I’m a 44 year old male looking for my birth parents. I was born in Johnson City, NY on December 23, 1974. I would be interested in meeting you at some point if possible, but mainly right now I am interested in medical information. I have 6 children of my own and given my previous medical history, I want to know if there are any surprises in store for them later in life.
10. Jonlundell : My sibling was abandoned at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn New York approximately late 1966 or early 1967. My mother used an assumed name gave birth and left the next day. I was two years old when my mother left my sibling. And when my mother died in 1968 I was fours years old. I did not find out about this event until 1992 at a family wake. I do not know any other details. If anyone recognizes this story please email. thank You Jon
11. Maura0169 : I am searching for my birth parents. I was born at NY Hospital on 1/22/69. My name was Jeanine or Janine. The adoption agency was Talbot Perkins.
12. Mgm79 : My mother was adopted in Albany NY in 1944 (or about) - she was born in 1942 to a woman who was an office worker and a man who was a farmer from Schoharie County or nearby. She resided in an orphanage in Albany NY until she was 2. Any info would be very helpful.
13. Purplemb : I was adopted in Syracuse NY and am looking for any Raphael family members.
14. Jdryja21 : I was delivered by Dr. Michael Calabrese on March 21st 1986 at Millard Filmore Gates Circle hospital, in Buffalo NY. I was told that my birth mother brought a bouquet of flowers to Dr. Calabrese’s office on my birthday for the first 2 years of my life. I would love to connect with my borth mother, and family. I still reside in the Buffalo area.
15. TONECAPONE147 : I was born in the town of Brookhaven, City of Port Jefferson, NY. I was born on January 19, 1970. The adoption took place in the bronx county court on October 19, 1971. I would like to find my biological parents. my real mom was 16 years old caucasian and catholic and was a student.
