Adoptees deserve the same unrestricted access to their vital records as non-adoptees. Current Michigan law treats Michigan adopted people unequally based on the date the state terminated birth parent rights. This categorizes adoptees into social classes and discriminates against them based on which category they fall into.

DNA testing makes sealed record secrecy impossible to uphold. Obtaining an OBC through the state is far more private for the birth parent and adopted person than DNA registries and contacting dozens of biological relatives to determine an adoptee’s origins. The current Michigan system also potentially harms the birth parents who may prefer to be contacted directly instead of through a distant family member.

Allowing unrestricted access to obtaining an original birth certificate promotes healing in the adoptee community. An ever-increasing number of adopted people, birth parents, adoptive families, and professional organizations from all over the state and country agree that truth and transparency is vital and promotes healing. Openness is now considered a “best practice” in adoption. To read personal adoptee testimonies on this matter please click here..