NEWS / Wisconsin bill may allow adoptees to access original birth certificates

A bill currently considered by the Wisconsin State Assembly may make it legal for individuals who had been adopted to access their original birth certificates once they turn 18. Current law already has a provision for adoptees to access original birth certificates provided both biological parents have given consent or are dead.

“Can you imagine going through the world and not knowing anyone you’re related to?” Republican State Representative Paul Tittl, who helped author the bill, was quoted by Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) as stating. “Adult adoptees are able to get a copy of the original, unaltered birth certificate if both birth parents are deceased or both parents have filed a form with the Department of Children and Families granting permission. However, if one of the birth parents refuses to grant permission, DCF will not release that birth certificate as long as that person is living.”

Representatives from the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Children and Law Section testified against the bill arguing that it was redundant. The Bar also protested against the fact that the bill would be retroactive, meaning that parents who thought their identities would be kept secret would lose those protections.

“Guaranteeing their anonymity was probably a selling point for the birth parents,” Adoptee advocate Diana Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos was quoted by WPR as stating. “These birth mothers who were giving up their child were probably afraid. They probably wanted it over. But it’s also a contract that the adoptee didn’t willingly enter into.”

Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos was born in 1970 and was an adoptee herself. She found out about her Greek heritage and was unable to establish contact with her biological father, as he had passed away by the time she had discovered his identity. However, her father’s widow adopted her into the family, and Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos went on to adopt children of her own.

If you need to retrieve a birth certificate and get it apostilled or authenticated for use abroad, feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@apostille.us or by phone at (212) 233-7061. You can also place an order on our website.