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The law, which takes effect Jan. 15, will stop what has long been viewed as legal impediments for adopted children to have the right to information about their birth and biological parents.
According to the article you linked, the request will go through the NY DoH Vital records division using the same process anyone else would use to request a BC copy. Fee is $45 (+8 if noT ordering in person). No reason to think the process will be different, although the request forms will need to be changed to differentiate between a OBC and ABC request.
The exception is for those born in New York City. Those will have to request through the NYC Department of Health. This will have to be the same for OBC requests as NYC maintains all the records. For current BC requests, NYC uses a third-party service for fulfillment. Cost is only $15.
Looks like both only require a driver license to get your own BC. It will be interesting to see proof required to obtain an OBC. As the names don’t match, you will need some way to prove you are the person on your OBC. Many people don’t have suitable paperwork.
From experience, I can say the process may be a long one - at least with NYC. When I requested some non-identifying information, I was first told that my file no longer existed. I had to do some digging and go higher up the ladder. Fortunately, someone I met gave me a name. Long story short - it took them almost a year to find my file. That was without the need to enter my data into a database to fulfill an online document request.
These are sealed records that are filed away in a warehouse. No one thought they would ever be needed again. Depending on age, some may not even be in the system - computers only became a thing in the 80s. Workers would rather avoid searching for old files. If there are numerous requests there may not be the manpower to do so in a timely manner.
I am thrilled about the bill being signed. I’m also checking my enthusiasm with the reality that it may be a long time for the OCB request to be fulfilled. May even have to fight past some low-level bureaucrats who claim your “file cannot be found.â€
I was born in NYC and applied to the DoH for my non-ID in 1996, it took a little over a year to receive it. Your amended BC has the same number on it as your OBC but with the letter A added. I would think that should be enough to prove who you are.
According to the article you linked, the request will go through the NY DoH Vital records division using the same process anyone else would use to request a BC copy. Fee is $45 (+8 if noT ordering in person). No reason to think the process will be different, although the request forms will need to be changed to differentiate between a OBC and ABC request.
The exception is for those born in New York City. Those will have to request through the NYC Department of Health. This will have to be the same for OBC requests as NYC maintains all the records. For current BC requests, NYC uses a third-party service for fulfillment. Cost is only $15.
Looks like both only require a driver license to get your own BC. It will be interesting to see proof required to obtain an OBC. As the names don’t match, you will need some way to prove you are the person on your OBC. Many people don’t have suitable paperwork.
From experience, I can say the process may be a long one - at least with NYC. When I requested some non-identifying information, I was first told that my file no longer existed. I had to do some digging and go higher up the ladder. Fortunately, someone I met gave me a name. Long story short - it took them almost a year to find my file. That was without the need to enter my data into a database to fulfill an online document request.
These are sealed records that are filed away in a warehouse. No one thought they would ever be needed again. Depending on age, some may not even be in the system - computers only became a thing in the 80s. Workers would rather avoid searching for old files. If there are numerous requests there may not be the manpower to do so in a timely manner.
I am thrilled about the bill being signed. I’m also checking my enthusiasm with the reality that it may be a long time for the OCB request to be fulfilled. May even have to fight past some low-level bureaucrats who claim your “file cannot be found.â€
If you moved or married, update the state with contact information. Or they can't write to you when there is a match.
Joan
Thanks, Joan. I'm very anti-facebook (deleted my account there a few years ago), so please post here when you know those details.
Do you know if I can apply for my OBC now, since I do know what my name was on my OBC? I know my birth mother. I've been in the NYS Registry for some time. Or is there some other layer that I'd need to go through since it was sealed? I don't want to send off a check unless I know I'm following the right procedure.
Just went into NYC Health Department Chat. I was told to check back on January 15th as there is no current policy / request form for adoptees.
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