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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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Currently, there are
23,033
members searching in New York

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 1,265,607 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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