Gov. Kim Reynolds signed new legislation into law on Wednesday, opening the door for adopted individuals to gain access to non-certified copies of their birth certificates. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) says adult adoptees can now apply for and obtain the certificates which include biological parent information. In addition, entitled individuals can apply for the adult adoptee’s original certificate prior to adoption if the adoptee is deceased. Biological parents will be able to file contact preference and medical history forms with the Bureau of Health Statistics at the IDPH. Once completed, they will be released to the adult adoptee or other entitled entity upon proper application. Biological parents may or may not choose to disclose their identity and contact information. The law immediately applies to those born after 1971. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, anyone over the age of 18 can request the same document. More information and a link to applications can be found below. The IDPH says it will take approximately six weeks to process an application.
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Link to IDPH access to original birth certificate: https://idph.iowa.gov/health-statistics/Open-Adoption?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
