Category Archives: Adoption

Ohio Adoption File Access Opens on 20 March 2015

Posted on March 2, 2015 by debbiemieszala

There is good news for Ohio adoptees whose adoptions took place between 1 January 1964 and 18 September 1996. Beginning Friday, 20 March 2015, they or their lineal descendants may request their adoption files, which include original birth certificates (OBCs) … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Law | Tagged Adoption File, Ohio, Original Birth Certificate | 1 Comment

Missouri: Adoption, Birth Certificates, and a Call to Action

Posted on January 26, 2015 by debbiemieszala

Today the second reading of Missouri’s House Bill (HB) 647 took place. According to the Missouri House of Representatives website, HB 647 “Establishes procedures for an adopted person to obtain a copy of his or her original birth certificate.”

Posted in Adoption | Tagged Missouri, Original Birth Certificate, Post-Adoption Research | 49 Comments

Original Birth Certificates in Illinois Open to Birth Parents

Posted on January 2, 2015 by debbiemieszala

Several changes to the Illinois Adoption Act went into effect on 1 January 2015. One change allows birth parents who are named on the original birth certificate (OBC) to obtain a copy of the OBC of the child they placed … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Illinois | Tagged Illinois, Illinois Adoption, Illinois Laws, Illinois Vital Records, Original Birth Certificate, Post-Adoption Research, Vital Records | 5 Comments

Reading List: The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade

Posted on December 4, 2014 by debbiemieszala

I’ve lent it several times, but my book’s lending days are over. It takes a long time for it to come back home. The Girls Who Went Away is powerful enough to linger with its readers.

Posted in Adoption, Books | Tagged Birth Mothers, Books, Post-Adoption Research, Womens Studies | Leave a comment

Illinois Adoption Act Changes for 2015

Posted on November 30, 2014 by debbiemieszala

Changes are coming to the Illinois Adoption Act. The changes go into effect on 1 January 2015. Several changes impact those who were party to an adoption, or their family members.

Posted in Adoption, Illinois, Law | Tagged Illinois Adoption, Illinois Laws, Original Birth Certificate, Post-Adoption Research | 5 Comments

Legally Omitted

Posted on November 22, 2014 by debbiemieszala

Illinois adoptees often ask about an item found on some original birth certificates, usually where the birth father’s name should appear. Legally Omitted is sometimes written in place of a name.