I recently found the CA Birth Records on Rootsweb. First, I was surprised to see they go to 1995. I thought there was a 72 or 75 year law on birth and death records.

Secondly - my question: Can birth records be changed to reflect the adoptive parents names instead of the birth parents names? It appears from the database that such a change can indeed occur. There are two relatives listed in Santa Clara County, CA in which the adoptive parents names were given to the birth certificate. The children were adopted when they were about 5-9 years old and in a different state. Can names of birth parents be learned from the original birth certificate?

i was also adopted in santa clara county... adopted at birth. although i found my two brothers (who were not adopted) listed from 1962 & 64, i was not listed on that registry. i was not listed by my given (adopted) name nor my (adopted) mothers maiden name. i thought that i had actually found something. i went through 10,000 records to find that only 20 females were born in that county on my birthdate. only one of those names had no baby first name listed and the surname was the same as the maiden name which was exactly correct according to my situation IF it was me. unfortunately i have searched the web for that ONE listing, that one name that i assumed was my birth mothers name, and i have found NOTHING. i found only info that would indicate some error in this entry. i too would like to know if these records can be changed. in any regard, i am not listed AT all. i did read somewhere that we have the right to our original birth certificate (prior to the amended version) and the only names that can be removed are those that did not give consent to release. usually in adoptions that is only the mother, not the father (in some cases) nor the grandparents. let me know if you find out any other info and i will do the same. thanks.

I reside in Santa Clara County and I am a birthmother.

The laws are such that both birthparents names can be removed from the birth certificate and then the adopting parents names are put in the places instead.

It should be a crime to prohibit adoptees from finding their true name, social and ethnic origins...it really burns me that it is such an almost impossible to job to acquire such information...makes me want to get a job as an adopting social worker just to help others to find out true and factual birth information without hiring James Bond!!

So, to answer your questions?...the adopting parents normally have seen the name of your birthparents whether they admit it or not.

Also, the original birth certificate is usually given (a copy) to the adopting parents as well.

Good luck.

Kitty
Micah's Birthmom
Los Gatos California

Thanks so much for your message. Coincidently, I found my birth mother from the info that I got from the CA birth Index. As it turns out, the one name that was listed was me. My adopted info was never listed. I have also looked on all of my adoption records and no names (of birth family) were listed. As it turns out, there was some info that I got from the adoption agency (social services) that was incorrect (number of brothers my mom had, etc.) that my bmom claims she did not give (incorrectly). As odd as it all turned out, it was lucky that my new birth cert. was not listed. Glad you are interested and took time to respond. Shannon

I am not sure, but adoption information has always been secretive. I don't see them making special rules for a 'type' of adoption. Perhaps, since there would be more 'public record information' available they might be able to be found thru other methods.
Donna

What about stepparent adoptions, do the same laws apply?

Several years ago there was a California State Law, not just Santa Clara Co., passed that upon arrival at the age of 18 an adoptee may request his original birth records, PROVIDED the birthmother has not put a waiver in the file indicating that she DOES NOT want to be contacted. I was a member of a support group called CUB, Concerned United Birthparents, who with other support agencies lobbied to get the bill passed. Unfortunately, they could not get the politicians to allow it to be retroactive. While attending these groups I heard someone say "if a mother can love to children, why can't a child love 2 mothers?" It had a profound effect on me that I will never forget. A beautiful book was written Carole Shaefer(of the Bay area I think) titled "The Other Mother" a must read for all birthmothers! God Bless and good luck. I found my son Nov. 1992 when he was 23, we are very close and love each other.
Donna

I had heard about that law and did try that... I had also gotten in touch with a social worker who could give me non-identifying info on my birth family. so since he said i could not have a copy of my original b.c. i asked him if i could ask general questions about it. he said yes so i asked if my dad's name was listed. he said no. so i had located one birth record (out of 10,000) on the right date and time with no given last name and thought it had to be mine. it was and i found my bmom, brother, grandmother and several aunts, uncles and cousins. it pays to be tricky and my entire search cost me nothing. i hope others try that too. thanks for the interest, shannon

How does one request the original birth records in Santa Clara Co.? I was born at El Camino Hospital 2/26/70 and am searching for any information regarding my birthparents.

I was looking for my husbands natural grandfather in Santa Clara County when I ran across the talk on records. You are so right about the child loving two mothers and mothers loving two children. I don't know how but my husband was lucky enought not to be brought up without knowing. His mother died at birth and the father could not take care of the babies. He was raised with both sets of relatives and it is really nice. I know a young man that wants to know who his fathers real parents are and no one will speak to him or tell him who they are. I've just started helping him so I have a feeling it is going to be a long drawn out ordeal. It's not just the record keeping that is wrong to my experience. With the big secrets families tend to not share with others my husband is now disabled for life because California law did not pass on medical history to the adopting parents. His mother died from a rare heart condition that causes seizures and sometimes death. It didn't kill him but it damaged his health so badly that now he can't even walk 50 ft without getting too tired and no longer has reliable long or short term memories. Does anyone know if they are ever going to do something about the law where the birth parents can come back years later and take the child back? There are two states in the US that have irrevokable adoptions. If the birth parents are so unstable as to make major decisions to adopt which is a very selfless thing to do and to be commended but when they are allowed to rip children from their only known parents there is no way I would ever adopt a child. I personally feel that parents are like you said. A child can never have too big of an extended family. Nothing is ever cut and dried and I think we tend to get into some kind of a control freak thing with all the you can't do this or that. Three cheers to you ladies and gentlemen who have tried to make it better for everyone.