Friends of “clean” adoption reform,

We hope all are well as August continues!  We were very glad to receive a message today from a senior official with the New York City Department of Health.  It states, in part, “…we have resumed processing requests for pre-adoption birth certificates.” (see full details below).  Also, the New York State DOH has, in addition to regular processing, begun to deliver responses to applicants born outside of New York, but adopted within the State! These will assist in approaching any “authorized agency” for identifying information! 

NEW YORK CITY DOH RESUMES PROCESSING! 

For applications within the five boroughs of NYC!  We were advised today of the following, received from a director within the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Office of Vital Records, which will also be sent to applicants who inquire to nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov .  Please note that your correspondence with them may assist with any “stale dated” check issues. 

“We are pleased to announce that we have resumed processing requests for pre-adoption birth certificates. The processing was suspended because of COVID-19 and the need to limit the number of people gathered in one place. We are currently processing mailed and online orders for February.   Please note that pre-adoption records take longer to process because they are sealed records that must be retrieved offsite and are not available electronically. We recognize that persons who were adopted have waited many years to obtain their pre-adoption record and are working to process your request. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to complete your order during these challenging times.  Note: If your submission included a personal check, we recognize that it may be stale dated.  Can you advise if your bank will honor the check?”

NEW YORK STATE DOH / NYS ADOPTEES BORN ELSEWHERE

As previously advised, “The Bureau is continuing to work closely with OCFS [Office of Children and Family Services] to develop procedures for adoptees born out of State”

However, we can advise the following (out-of-State born):

• Delivery of letters:  Letters to out-of-State born applicants, to assist in approaching any “authorized agency” for identifying information, are beginning to be delivered!
• Form 27-A (if approaching a court) or other possible "authorized agency" application forms:  A court / clerk may request, in addition to submitting the letter you receive (from DOH), that you fill out a form to help processing to provide your identifying information.  Most likely, this will be an already existing form such as  “Adoption Form 27-A—Petition for Access to Sealed Adoption Records (9/2006);”  If you are asked to fill this, or any other form, out:  Be sure to confirm that you will simply indicate, where “good cause” (or reasoning) is requested, that you are applying under the new law, PHL §4138-E(2).  This should assist in assuring that the court (or other agency if a different form) will simply provide you with your identifying information, as opposed beginning any court petition (or any other) process solely under the Domestic Relations Law.
• More details to come!:  We have submitted new, additional questions, to the NYS DOH, to further clarify ongoing status with the out-of-State born process (for NYS and NYC) and will advise soon.  Thank you to all out-of-State born adoptee supporters, who have been in contact with us!  This has helped us to develop and submit new questions!

INTENDED TIMELINES:

As previously reported, VitalChek remains the quickest option (over submitting a paper application).  Intended timelines apparently still apply, noting current delays due to the pandemic:

Paper applications (to NYS or NYC DOH):  Will be processed, but with ongoing delays. 

Internet applications /  VitalChek:

• NY State: 35 - 40 days + next day delivery—UPS
• NY State: 40 - 45 days + 2 - 3-days delivery—USPS
• NYC: 60 - 80 days + next day delivery—UPS
• NYC: 60 - 80 days + 2-3 days delivery—USPS

Contact Tim with outreach updates, questions or news you’d like to share! tmw713@gmail.com

Adoptee rights are human rights!

Adoptee rights are civil rights!

Adoptee rights are New York rights!