Status of unsealed birth certificates, by state

For state laws in place as of July 1, 2023.

"Unrestricted" means an adult adoptee may apply for and obtain their own original birth certificate without any restrictions or conditions, other than following regular procedures for obtaining a state vital record. "Compromised" means that that states have limited the rights of adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates in various ways. "Restricted" typically means that adult adoptees have no specific rights to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order.
Chart: Texas StandardSource: Adoptee Rights Law CenterCreated with Datawrapper