Adoption
New Jersey casts national net for birth parents of adoptees

Under a new law in New Jersey, adult adoptees can request access to their birth records beginning January 1, 2017. However, a birth parent can notify the New Jersey Department of Health's Office of Vital Records that he or she wants his or her identifying information redacted from the birth certificate. There are tens of thousands of birth parents who placed their children for adoption in New Jersey as far back as 1920. For children placed for adoption prior to August 1, 2015, birth parents may choose to have identifying information redacted from the birth record by submitting a request to the Department of Health by December 31, 2016. These birth parents may live anywhere in the United States. Therefore, New Jersey is casting a wide net and seeking your help in locating these parents. Birth parents can find more information by visiting the New Jersey Department of Health's website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/record.shtml.