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New York Adoptee Rights Coalition

We work to restore the right of adult adoptees in New York to obtain their original birth certificates without conditions or restrictions.

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Where To Apply

A resource to help New York adoptees determine where to apply in New York for a copy of their own original birth certificates. If you are a descendant of an adopted person, complete this form as if you are the adopted person.

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  • Where to Apply

  • New York City Department of Health

    Since you were born in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you must apply for a copy of the original birth certificate with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

    Update! New York City is now accepting online applications for pre-adoption (original) birth certificates.

    Apply Online

    The city currently has instructions here (please scroll to the bottom of the page where it says "Order a Pre-adoption Birth Certificate"). Paper mail-in application forms and instructions are available here. Forms can be mailed to:

    Office of Vital Records
    ATTN: Sealed Record Request
    125 Worth St., CN-4
    New York, NY 10013-4090

  • New York State Department of Health

    Since you were born in New York but not in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you must apply for a copy of the original birth certificate with the New York State Department of Health. More information is here, including a FAQ that should answer additional questions.

    The online application is available here. Paper forms that are mailed in or dropped off at the state department of health will likely take much longer to process, resulting in a longer wait time for you to receive the OBC.

    More Info/Apply Online

  • Note: If you were born outside of the United States (an intercountry adoptee) or in a state other than New York, you may be able to obtain information, but only if your adoption was finalized in New York. Please see this FAQ for more information.
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Organizations that Support Us

The following organizations, while not core partners, support the work of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition.

  • AdoptieZaken & Familierecht (AZF/Netherlands)
  • California Open
  • Canada Open Records
  • Concerned United Birthparents
  • Equality for Adoptees
  • Indiana Open
  • Italiadoption
  • Know Your Own
  • Michigan Open Records
  • Minnesota Coalition for Adoption Reform
  • Missouri Open
  • National Center on Adoption and Permanency
  • New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
  • Nevada Open
  • Post Adoption Center for Education & Resources (PACER)

Latest News and Actions

UPDATE: New York State Applications

New State Directive Addresses Adoptees Born Outside of New York

UPDATE: New York State Numbers

Current Coalition Partners

  • Adoptee Rights Law Center
  • Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York
  • Bastard Nation

 

Strategic Partners
  • Reclaim the Records

About NYARC

The New York Adoptee Rights Coalition works to restore the right of adult adoptees in New York to obtain their original birth certificates without conditions or restrictions.

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