Suppose you were adopted in Georgia and have ever wondered, “Can I see my original birth certificate?”. In that case, the answer is now a definitive yes—thanks to Andee’s Law, which took effect on July 1, 2025. After more than 60 years, Georgia will finally restore unrestricted access for adult adoptees to their original birth records. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is an Original Birth Certificate (OBC)?
An original birth certificate (OBC) for adoptees differs significantly from the amended birth certificate they receive after adoption. The OBC is the document created at birth, listing the adoptee’s birth name, the names of their biological parents, and the place and date of birth. It reflects the adoptee’s identity at the time of birth, before any legal changes. In contrast, the amended birth certificate is issued after the adoption is finalized and replaces the biological parents’ names with the adoptive parents’ names; in some cases, even the adoptee’s name may be changed. While the amended certificate serves as the legal identity document for most purposes—such as enrolling in school, applying for a passport, or getting a driver’s license—it omits the adoptee’s original familial and historical information. The OBC holds personal and genealogical significance, providing adoptees with a more comprehensive understanding of their origins.
The Passage of Andee’s Law (SB 100)
Effective July 1, 2025, Georgia will lift a decades-long restriction on Original Birth Certificates (OBCs) for adult adoptees. Under Senate Bill 100, known as “Andee’s Law”, Georgia-born adoptees aged 18 and older can now request an uncertified copy of their pre-adoption birth certificate directly from the State Office of Vital Records, without needing a court order or parental consent. This marks a significant restoration of rights that were removed in 1961, when Georgia began sealing birth records in all adoption cases.
What Changed: Understanding “Andee’s Law”
Georgia sealed birth records in 1961, blocking adoptees from accessing their original birth documentation. For over six decades, adult adoptees needed costly court orders to obtain copies.
Under Georgia’s updated policy, adult adoptees now have automatic access to their original birth certificates upon request, without needing judicial approval or parental consent. This change applies exclusively to individuals who were born in Georgia and are at least 18 years old. Eligible adoptees can submit their request through the state’s ROVER online system. The document provided will be an uncertified, unsealed copy of the original birth certificate. It will include a notation indicating that it is not valid for legal purposes.
The Power of the Original Birth Certificate (OBC)
The OBC holds a unique and powerful status in identity and legal documentation:
Legal Foundations: This document displays your birth name, birth date, birthplace, and biological parents—core details used for identity verification, passport applications, Social Security, and other purposes.
Medical Clarity: It can reveal genetic history, which is critical for preventive healthcare, especially for conditions with hereditary patterns.
Emotional & Cultural Insight: For many adoptees, the OBC is a key to understanding origins, family heritage, and self-identity, facilitating emotional healing.
Rectifying Unjust Barriers: The necessity of court orders and parental permissions in the past created a two-tier system that denied adoptees their fundamental rights—Andee’s Law now levels the playing field.
Who Can Request the OBC?
Under the new law, eligibility to request the original birth certificate (OBC) extends to adoptees who are 18 years or older and were born in the state of Georgia. In cases where the adoptee is deceased, the right to request the OBC is granted to parents, siblings, grandchildren, and other direct descendants of the adoptee. Legal representatives with proper authorization may also obtain the certificate on behalf of an eligible requester.
What Birth Parents Should Know
Birth parents should be aware that under Georgia’s new law, they cannot prevent the release of the original birth certificate (OBC). Once an eligible request is made, the OBC is automatically issued without requiring parental approval. Unlike laws in some other states, Georgia does not offer an opt-out mechanism, such as contact preference or redaction forms. As a result, the names of biological parents listed on the OBC will be visible to adult adoptees and, in some cases, their descendants.
Impact on Adoptees: Reconciling Identity and Heritage
The new access to original birth certificates (OBCs) has a profound impact on adoptees, enabling them to reconcile their identity and heritage in meaningful ways.
First, the OBC restores key elements of an adoptee’s legal identity, including birth name, birth date, birthplace, and the names of biological parents—details that contribute to both legal recognition and emotional grounding. Second, it opens the door to valuable family and medical history that was previously sealed. This information is crucial for preventive healthcare and understanding genetic risks associated with various conditions. Third, access to the OBC supports cultural and emotional reconnection, allowing adoptees to explore their roots and deepen their sense of self. Finally, by granting this access as a legal right rather than a court-granted privilege, the law empowers adoptees with autonomy. It reinforces their equal standing under the law.
How Georgia Compares to Other States
With Andee’s Law, Georgia joins a growing movement of states that have enacted adoptee access reforms since 2019, including New York, Minnesota, Vermont, Massachusetts, and South Dakota.
Like Georgia, many states now forgo court orders and parental consent, treating OBC access as a right rather than a privilege. However, Georgia stands out by offering no parental redaction or consent requirement, emphasizing complete transparency similar to states like New York and Vermont. The broader push recognizes that blanket sealing is outdated in the era of DNA testing and social connectivity, where identities are likely to be discovered regardless of legal boundaries.
How to Request an OBC in Georgia: Step-by-Step
- Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older, Georgia-born, adopted in-state, and have a new birth certificate created post-adoption.
- Application: Submit a request via the ROVER portal or mail the specified form to the State Office of Vital Records.
- Identification: Provide a valid government-issued photo ID—Georgia driver’s license, passport, etc.
- Additional documentation: If your name has changed since adoption, include supporting documents (marriage certificate, name-change order).
- Fees: Pay $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Records are emailed or mailed in 8–10 weeks.
- Receive your OBC: The uncensored form restores your biological identity. Note: It cannot be used for legal purposes—it is informational only.
Georgia’s Andee’s Law is more than legislative—it’s a recognition of adoptees’ right to their birth truths. By restoring OBC access after 64 years, the state acknowledges that adoptees deserve the same access to information as every citizen. For those who have sought answers about origin, health, and heritage, this law marks a new chapter: one in which birth certificates once again serve their original purpose—to declare and preserve identity. If you’re a Georgia-born adoptee aged 18 or older, July 2025 marks a new chapter.