Poll: Should NJ pass a bill allowing adopted people to obtain birth certificates?

Star Ledger ^ | 02.13.2014

[Coleus]

Should New Jersey lawmakers pass a bill that would allow adopted people to obtain their original birth certificates, revealing their biological parents' identity?

On Monday, a state Assembly panel approved the measure, which would allow an adopted adult or an adoptive parent on a child's behalf to request his or her birth certificate from the state Health Department.

It's the latest bill to tackle the issue. Similar measures have failed for more than three decades.

Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed a version in 2011, saying he would support a compromise that allowed a confidential intermediary to search for natural parents.

Opponents — including Catholic church leaders, anti-abortion rights advocates, the ACLU and the State Bar Association — say the measure takes away the privacy of birth mothers.

[cableguymn]

sounds fun if that is what you want to do.

At this time, I really have no interest in finding mine. My parents told me it was ok to look. They had actually gone looking for theirs and found most of the family. Worked out ok for them although my dad’s sister.. umm ya.. her husband was a piece of work. anywho.. I am happy with my current family. Maybe after my parents pass.. IDK. Birth parents only have 18 years on me so unless their number comes up early, I got time to change my mind.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Mine passed not long after I found her.

[nickcarraway]

I can’t see why anyone would think this law is a good idea.

[dalereed]

They have to have a birth certificate or they can’t get a passport.

My father, born in Del Mar in 1902 had to sue the County of San Diego to get a birth certificate in order to get a passport.

[Gefn]

I was adopted at 7 months. As far as I am concerned , my parents aren’t the ones who gave me genetic material they are the ones who fed me, clothed me and instilled their values in me to be the best daughter they could.

I have no desire to meet my birth parents, though I’m grateful for giving me the gift of life.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Nope.

I adopted my son and got him a new birth certificate. He’s been mine since he was 7 days old. His drug-addicted birth mother left the hospital shortly after he was born and never went back. Little dude was born a month premature and jonesin’ for crack.

I’ll go through hell and high water, scorching the earth with lead-pipe cruelty to protect him from that POS.

He’s 7 now. The only Laotian in a family of flour-white folks. He knows, but doesn’t really comprehend or even care about the difference, which is fine w/ me. If he’s ever interested in learning about his past, I’ll tell him and not hold back the truth of the matter. Once he’s 18, if he wishes to chase down that rabbit, he’ll be warned that what awaits him is only heartache.