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The Problem:
Under
our current laws, most states deny adult adoptees access to
their own original birth certificates. A few states have always
allowed any adult adoptee to obtain his or her own original
birth certificate, and in recent years a number of states have
joined this enlightened group of governments in restoring the
right of every adult to unhindered access to his or her original
birth certificate. Since 1951 Florida has prohibited any
adult adoptee from receiving his or her original birth
certificate. Prior to that time an adult adoptee need only
request to see his or her original birth documents.
Adult
adoptees in their 30's, 40's and 50's are not considered
by the state of Florida to be mature and responsible enough to
receive the information contained in the original birth
certificate. These same people can drive, marry, raise children
have jobs and otherwise function as every other adult member of
society, with the exception that they may not know their birth
names or parentage. These people are doctors, lawyers,
ministers, police officers, pilots, and others who fulfill
important roles in our society often roles in which they are
trusted with our lives and well being and yet they cannot be
trusted with their own identity.
Confidentiality
issues for birth mothers are often cited as the reason for not
giving adult adoptees their original birth certificates, but in
fact the vast majority of birth mothers didn't ask for
confidentiality, don't want it, and wish to have contact with
the children they lost to adoption. Studies and surveys have
shown that a significant percentage of birth parents actually
would like to meet their, now adult, relinquished children.
Adoptees
should have the same right as any other United States citizen to
receive a copy of their birth certificate, a right that they are
currently denied. Equitable human rights are at issue here.
There is no justifiable reason to deny this right to this group
without due process.
The
Solution:
F.R.E.E.
is an organization made up of adult adoptees, birth family
members, adoptive family members, friends and relatives of adult
adoptees, and is working to draft and advocate for new legislation
which would allow adult adoptees access to their original birth
certificates.
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