The answer lies in the profound implications it has on one’s identity, particularly concerning the modification of the original birth certificate (OBC). Original Birth Certificates serve as legal documents of paramount importance, bearing the truth of one’s birth and heritage. It is vital that adopted people’s birth certificates remain accurate and unaltered.
Adoption initiates an amendment to the information on this legal document, a significant act that should prompt us to consider the importance of choice. Individuals need to be allowed to decide whether they want to be adopted, and they need to be of legal age to understand what adoption means. We believe that the adoption option should be presented to individuals once they reach adulthood, and they should be provided with comprehensive information about its consequences before signing the ‘relinquishment’ papers. People need to be the ones who decide if they want to be adopted or not. Adoption should not be forced, especially in such cases as infant and international adoption.
Adoption Truth and Transparency Worldwide Information Network advocates for the preservation of an individual’s choice in adoption and the protection of their original birth certificate.
When an adoption is finalized, a new birth certificate, known as an amended birth certificate, is issued. This new document paints a picture as though the adoptive parents gave birth to the individual. But is this transformation acceptable to the adopted person? This question must be posed and resolved before the adoption is legalized.
The disparity in adoption laws among states further complicates matters. Many states restrict access to the original birth certificate, requiring a court order for an adult adoptee to obtain it. Some states deny adopted adults access to their OBC entirely, and others impose hefty fees for retrieval. The implications are clear: access to one’s original birth certificate depends on the state, leaving many adopted individuals in the dark about their true heritage and lineage.
The consequences of this lack of access are far-reaching. Adopted individuals (and their offspring) conducting genealogical research find their true ancestry forever concealed, replaced by the lineage of their adoptive parents. Is this an acceptable outcome?
In some cases, state laws dictate that the original birth certificate remains sealed and unavailable even when the adoptee becomes an adult. This restriction poses a danger and does not serve the best interests of children, adults, and humanity.
For those not touched by adoption, their original birth certificate remains their only birth certificate, always available for essential life tasks. It is the key to enrolling in school, obtaining a social security card, securing a driver’s license, getting a passport, applying for college financial aid, obtaining a marriage license, and registering to vote.
In stories like those found in “The Unknown Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now” and “Adoptionland: From Orphans to Activists,” we witness the aftermath of adoption when an individual’s true identity is erased and replaced through forced adoption. The consequences are lifelong, and they beg the question: is adoption truly in the best interest of children and adults?
In conclusion, we advocate for preserving an individual’s choice in adoption and protecting their original birth certificate. It is a matter of safeguarding truth, heritage, and identity, ensuring that adoption truly serves the best interests of all parties involved.
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