If that is true, why do so many adopted children have a difficult time finding their true parents?
Or conversely, how come so many adopted kids find out they were adopted and find their birth parent(s)
Here is the law in Alabama regarding adoptions:
“BACKGROUND: Alabama law directs the State Registrar to establish a new birth certificate after an adoption takes place. The new birth certificate is substituted for the original birth certificate in the files, and the original birth certificate and evidence of adoption are placed in a “sealed file” that previously could only be accessed by obtaining a court order (Section 22-9A-12). In 2000, the Alabama legislature amended the vital records law to allow a person 19 years of age or older whose original birth certificate was placed in a “sealed file” to obtain a non-certified copy of that record and any other documents in the “sealed file.” Therefore, the child will be able to obtain all information included on the original birth certificate including the name(s) of the parent(s) and any legal documents in the vital records file relating to the adoption.”
Most parents who surrender their child for adoption do not want to be found (though they may change their minds later in life). In order to encourage parents to put the child up for adoption, rather than abort, abandon or abuse it, most states have detailed laws protecting the privacy of the birth parents.
Hawaii's statute stipulates a thorough search to contact birth parents, both of whom must agree in order for an adopted child to access the records.
If Obama was adopted, he would only have access to the files if the birth parents consent, or if both can be proven to be dead.