Unsealing adoption records in NJ

Is it common for adoptees with sealed records to have their original birth certificate? I've read that modified birth certificates were usually issued.

START WITH WHAT IS EASY FIRST.....THE WHITE PAGES IN THE CITY OF BIRTH. WHEN I RECEIVED MY ORIGINAL I WENT WITH MY MOTHERS NAME AND SEARCHED FOR MALES WITH THE SAME LAST NAME IN THE CITY SHE LIVED IN AT THE TIME. BEFORE YOU GO SPENDING MONEY ON COUNTLESS "AGENCIES" USE YOUR GUT INSTINCTS AND START WITH THE EASY ROADS. AFTER ABOUT THE 3RD PHONE CALL, I FOUND MY BIRTH MOTHERS BROTHER (UNCLE) I SIMPLY ASKED IF HE KNEW OF ............ AND HE SAID THAT WAS HIS SISTER! IT HAS BEEN AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE AND I HOPE THE SAME FOR YOU. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU GOOD LUCK :wings: CATHY

And I Forgot,...............it Is Not Common To Have An Original. Adopted Persons Are Given Their Amended Ones. All The States Have Different Laws So Check With The Vital Records Office. You Will Have To Send Them Info And Usually A Copy Of The Amended B.c. Cathy

My adoption was frustratingly sealed also and all I have is my adoption 'birth' certificate. I was told that is all that is given with a sealed adoption.

A correction to my post above so that others aren't misled. I thought I had seen an original birth certificate, but it was an amended copy. It appears to have the correct birth date, but the adoptive parents are listed. My mother found other documentation, and that's what I was thinking of.

ok, NJ if not easy. I received my birth mothers name "unofficially" when I made a motion to the court, my reasoning was medical. I received no documents and still do not have my orignial birth certificate as BM won't give up the name of my father. As I write, there is a Bill sitting on Gov. Christies desk waiting to be signed that would allow us access to our original birth certificate - after a 1 year wait for birth parents to op-out and request that that their info not be given out, but the State will require them to complete a medical history. Also, double check NJ Law alittle further, I vaguely remember something about records not being sealed until sometime in the 1940's I just don't remember what year. Good Luck

Faye56, thanks for the info. My mother is back home, so I'll have her contact NJ to request her original birth certificate and any other info they'll provide. If my research is correct, her birth mother passed away in 1995. If her birth father has passed too, I assume they'll provide the documents right away. I'll let you know what happens.

For those adoptees interested in gaining information by way of unsealing records, in law there is some general information that should be considered.Laws having to do with the sealing of records are sealed by the legislature. The judges simply enforce the laws handed down by the legislature.All states differ on what is acceptable to the courts in terms of the unsealing of records.Some states are more lenient and accept medical evidence as being a reason to unseal. Others do not, even in the face of terminal disease.You will have to tell the court what it is you want it to do, and the reasons for the unsealing.The evidence presented to the court for purposes of unsealing will be reviewed by the judge. He will rule on whether or not the reasons or the evidence presented is more compelling or carries greater weight than the seasons the records were sealed. This is known as "Good Cause." If the judge accepts the evidence as meeting the criteria of "Good Cause" he will review that evidence and rule.It would be best for any adoptee considering an attempt to unseal birth records to contact an attorney in their state, or wherever the adoption was finalized. Many attorneys allow a first consultation without charge to see if there are enough grounds to go to court.I wish you the best.

I was just wondering if you had any luck getting information from the state of NJ? I am trying to locate my birth sister who was adopted in that same time frame, 1946 or 1947. I have petitioned the court in Cape May County twice and was told the judge would not open the records but would keep my information with her records. I don't have much hope at this point. If you have any tips I could try I would appreciate the help. By some coincidence your Mom's birthmother wasn't named Fetter was she?

Sorry no. I petitioned the court for information and the judge gave me her name only because I had just undergone treatment for colon cancer. I thought the sealed laws didn't apply in the 40's.

betty You can always write to Gov Christie and tell him to sign the Adoptee Rights Bill waiting his signature. That you are a birth family that wants the adoptees to have their original birth certificates... There is a post in the Adoptee Support forum called Adoptee Rights Legislation (something like that) and it should have information on where to go for NJ group working to get adoptees rights restored... D

Betty, my mother was born in northern NJ, and her name was Sorger. My mother passed away in 2012. The only information I was able to show her was that her mother had passed away in 1995, and that she probably had an older brother. I found a picture of him online, and the resemblance drew an "oh wow!" from all of my family members who saw the picture. I thought about trying to contact him if only to see what information we can provide for each other, but other things put that on the back burner. This thread reminds me that I should send a letter (if I can find his contact info).