How to Obtain a Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate in Georgia

Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on June 26, 2025

NOTE: The following information is being provided by the Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights, based on Georgia law and the policies of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), to assist applicants in obtaining a pre-adoption birth certificate. Though we are working closely with GA DPH and strive to provide accurate information, this is unofficial and can not be confirmed until the full implementation of SB100 “Andee’s Law” has been made and published by the state of Georgia.

Georgia law directs the State Registrar, in some cases, 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 is placed in a “sealed file.” In the 2025 Legislative Session, the legislature amended the vital records laws to allow an adopted person who is 18 years of age or older, whose original birth certificate was placed in a “sealed file,” to obtain a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate from the Vital Records division of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Who May Request a Copy?

  • The person named on the birth certificate:
    • who is at least 18 years old
    • who was born in Georgia
    • whom a new birth certificate was established after an adoption
  • Any parent, sibling, or descendant of the adopted person, if the person named on the birth certificate is deceased.

What Will the Applicant Receive?

The applicant will receive a copy of the original birth certificate clearly marked that it is not a certified copy and it may not be used for legal purposes. The information on the birth certificate in the file is shown as it was provided by the birth parent(s) at the time of birth. These documents do not contain medical or other information about the birth parents.

How Should These Records Be Ordered?

  • Pre-adoption birth certificate requests must be made to the State Office of Vital Records. They are not available through county offices.
  • Applicants must use the form specified for requesting a pre-adoption birth certificate. If the Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918) is used, you will received the current legal record, not the original pre-adoption birth certificate. (The form for requesting a pre-adoption birth certificate has not yet been published by the Georgia Department of Public Health. We will update when it is.)
  • Must submit required fees, valid acceptable photo identification document, and any other documents needed for proof of relationship or name changes.

Identification Requirements

There are instances in which specific documentation is required based on who is requesting the record.

  • The person named on the certificate- If the person named on the certificate (i.e. the registrant) is the requestor, that person must provide valid photo identification at the time of the request.
  • The parent(s) named on the birth record- Must provide valid picture identification.
  • An adult child of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes signature.
  • An adult sibling of the person named on the certificate– Must provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate listing one of the same parents, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes signature.

Documentation of a Change of Name 

If the name on your ID is different from your name at the time of your adoption, you must provide documentation that will prove you are the person listed on the birth record. (For applications by mail, attach an original certified copy of the requested documentation. Your original documents will be returned to you with the completed order). For example:

  • If your ID shows a married name, provide a copy of your marriage certificate that shows your name as it appears on your legal (post-adoption) birth certificate and your name after marriage as it appears on your ID.
  • If your ID reflects a legal change of name, provide a certified copy of your legal change of name decree that shows your name as it appears on your legal (post-adoption) birth certificate and your legal name as decreed by a court and as appears on your ID.

Fees

Georgia law requires pre-payment before a record or a service can be provided. Fees are non- refundable after a service has been provided. Records are sent first class mail. If the record is found, a copy of the certificate is included in the cost. If the record is not found, a not-on-file letter will be issued. No fees will be refunded.

Copy of Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate – $25.00
Additional copies – $5.00  (must be ordered in same transaction)

Acceptable Forms of Payment:

  • Credit/Debit Cards (Walk-in service only)
  • Cash (Walk-in service only)
  • Certified Check
  • Money Order

Application for Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate

The following options are available for requesting a vital record:

State Office of Vital Records Lobby Hours
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday, Except State Holidays
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
​Atlanta, GA 30349
Response Time: 8-10 weeks. Applications can be made in person at the main office, but same-day service is not available for pre-adoption birth certificates.

Requests by Mail
Mail a completed copy of the appropriate request form, required supporting documents, and payment to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Response Time:  8-10 weeks

*Personal Checks are not accepted. Please send payments in the form of a certified check or money order.

Online
Online ordering will be an option, but it is not yet available.

What if I was adopted in Georgia, but born elsewhere?

Georgia Department of Public Health can only provide records of vital events that occurred in Georgia. For events that took place outside of Georgia, please contact the vital records office in that state or territory for more information. The National Center for Health Statistics maintains contact information for vital records offices throughout the United States. Adoptee Rights Law Center has compiled information about birth certificate laws regarding adoptions in the United States to assist you in obtaining your original birth certificate.

Governor Brian Kemp Signs SB100 “Andee’s Law,” Ending Decades of Discrimination Against Georgia Adoptees

Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on May 13, 2025


ATLANTA, GA — In a landmark moment for adoptee rights, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed SB100 “Andee’s Law” into law today at the Georgia State Capitol, reversing more than six decades of sealed records and restoring a fundamental right to Georgia-born adopted people.

For 64 years, adult adoptees in Georgia were denied access to their own original birth certificates—a policy widely recognized as discriminatory and unjust. With today’s historic signing, that policy has come to an end.

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia-born adoptees aged 18 and older will be able to apply for and receive a copy of their original, pre-adoption birth certificate directly from the Georgia State Office of Vital Records—no court order required.

The Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights (GAAR), which has tirelessly advocated for this legislation, applauds the bipartisan support behind SB100 and the Governor’s commitment to adoptee equality. We are very grateful to Senator Randy Robertson and Representative Joseph Gullett for sponsoring this legislation.

GAAR will provide additional information and guidance about the application process in the coming weeks to help adoptees prepare for this long-awaited opportunity.

New Session, New Bill!

Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on February 11, 2025

SB 100 “Andee’s Law” Introduced in Senate

With the 2025 legislative session in full swing, we are excited to announce that we have a new bill that has been introduced. SB 100 “Andee’s Law” is the same clean OBC bill as we have previously worked on and is again sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson. Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights (GAAR) has worked hard over the previous two sessions and had amazing support from both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, but we just could not get a House floor vote.

Senator Randy Robertson (R – Catula)

What’s ahead for SB 100?

SB 100 has been assigned to the Senate Children and Families committee. The committee has a meeting scheduled for February 11th, but will be hearing no bills this day, therefore we are anticipating that SB 100 will be on the agenda at their next meeting, which we expect to be Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 1 PM. (Note: There is no meeting schedule out yet for next week, but the committee typically meets on the same day and time each week. We will update as we get further information.)

GAAR is dedicated to continuing to educate and inform legislators about the importance of this bill and appreciate all of those who have joined us in this effort!

Action Alert! Urge a House Vote on SB64

Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on March 20, 2024

Help Us Restore Adoptee Rights

SB64 has experienced great success through the Georgia Senate and in House Committees, but it still has not been scheduled for a House floor vote.

We urgently need your help in contacting ALL House members, by phone and email, to ask them to support SB64 and to urge Rules Chairman Parrish and Speaker Burns to bring it to the House for a vote!

Urge a House Vote on SB64

Whether you are an adoptee, a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or a supporter/loved one of an adoptee, here is what we need you to do:

We are asking all of our supporters to call representatives in the Georgia House asking them to support SB64 and urge a vote on the House Floor. If you live in GA and are a constituent, please be sure to say so and also include your city or town so that your Representative will prioritize your support.

House Member Contact Information

If you aren’t sure what to say, here is a sample message for you:

Representative ____________________,

I am a [ADOPTEE, BIRTH PARENT, ADOPTIVE PARENT, FRIEND OF ADOPTEE, ETC]. I am asking for your SUPPORT of SB 64, which will restore the right of adult adopted persons to their own original birth certificate, and asking you to urge Chairman Parrish and Speaker Burns to bring SB64 to the floor for a vote.

Delaying the vote on SB64 only prolongs the uncertainty and frustration experienced by adoptees who are seeking vital information about their origins. Every day that passes without action on this bill is a missed opportunity to uphold the rights and dignity of adoptees in Georgia.

I urge you to stand on the side of fairness and compassion by supporting SB64 and advocating for its swift passage. By doing so, you will not only make a positive impact on the lives of countless adoptees and their families but also uphold the values of transparency and equality that our state holds in high regard.

Sincerely,
[NAME]
[CITY/TOWN or CONNECTION TO ADOPTION]

IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied. If you do not live in GA, include your connection to the bill or how you are affected. (i.e. Georgia born adoptee, biological or adoptive parents of a Georgia-born adoptee, supporter/loved one of an adoptee, concerned citizen, etc.)

Let Us Know What You Hear

If you receive a response from a representative, please let us know what you hear. We can then follow up with the representative if they need more information or are unfamiliar with the bill. Contact us at info@gaallianceforadopteerights.org to let us know.

The Work Continues

Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on March 30, 2023

Friends of GAAR,

SB64 gained great exposure and momentum in Georgia’s 2023 legislative session. We got through the Senate Children & Families committee, the full Senate, and House Judicial committee unanimously and everyone’s effort brought us the farthest it’s ever gone in Georgia!

We appreciate the support from every Georgia General Assembly member who voted for the bill! We appreciate Senator Randy (and Theresa) Robertson and Representative Beth Camp advocating and championing SB64. We appreciate each one of you for calling, emailing, and speaking with your Senators and Representatives. We appreciate all of the organizations who stood behind us and supported the bill this session. And we appreciate the GAAR board members who have worked tirelessly preparing for this effort.

One very important point to understand is that SB 64 is not dead. It is still alive and will start back in the House rules committee to be scheduled for the House floor next January. Although we wanted SB 64 so incredibly badly to have passed the House and gone onto Governor Kemp’s desk for signature this year, we have another chance to pass a clean adoption reform bill in Georgia!

In 2024, we will be even stronger and will have more time to educate and rally all of the legislators. We ask that all of you please join us to continue to fight for adoptee rights and help get us to the finish line. We can’t do it without you!

If you would like to serve in a greater capacity in 2024 for GAAR, please email us at info@gaallianceforadopteerights.org

Our work is not finished until all adult adoptees in Georgia can obtain their original birth certificate upon request. Period.

THANK YOU!!

About Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights

The Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights is a coalition of state and national organizations with a singular focus: restoring the unrestricted right of all Georgia adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates (OBC) upon request.

    SB 64 Unanimously Passes House Judicial Committee

    Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on March 16, 2023

    In a unanimous vote on March 14th, the House Judicial Committee, gave a “do-pass” to SB64. It now will move on to the House floor.

    Senator Randy Robertson presented the bill to the committee. He was joined by Jamie Weiss, co-chair of Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights, who provided testimony and responded to questions from Representative Kelley and Representative Crawford relating to the bill.

    Jamie Weiss testifies before the House Judiciary Committee alongside Senator Randy Robertson.

    As Senator Robertson was wrapping up, he said, “We (the Georgia Assembly) don’t often have a compassionate bill like this to vote on in the Senate or House.” He asked for the committee to vote in favor of un-doing an old wrong and giving adult adoptees equal rights to obtain their original birth certificate.

    The bill also passed through the House Rules Committee and will be presented by Representative Beth Camp to the full House on Monday, March 20, 2023.

    We’re Halfway There!

    Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on March 8, 2023

    Senate bill 64 passed unanimously in the Georgia Senate on March 6th (crossover day), with a 54-0 vote. The bill restores the right for adopted persons (18 years+) to obtain their original birth certificate.

    Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) presented the clean bill to the full Senate and there was no opposition and no questions presented. (Except about where the Senator’s eccentric shoes originated from!)

    Senator Robertson was a champion for this bill in the senate and garnered 18 co-sponsors from the initial introduction. On the Senate floor Senator Robertson said, “All I want to do is give these people (adopted persons) the same opportunity as us in knowing who they are.”

    The bill will now crossover to the House of Representatives and when it passes there, the bill would be enacted at the time of the Governor’s signature.

    Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights will keep you posted with sponsor and committee information, as well as any call-to-actions.

    SB64 presented at 50:30

    About Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights

    The Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights is a coalition of state and national organizations with a singular focus: restoring the unrestricted right of all Georgia adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates (OBC) upon request.

      SB64 Passes Out of Committee

      Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on March 1, 2023

      The Senate Children and Families Committee voted unanimously in favor of passing Georgia SB64 out of committee! Many thanks to bill sponsor, Senator Randy Robertson, and co-sponsor, Senator Bo Hatchett for their dedication to restoring adoptee rights. We would also like to thank Chairwoman Kay Kirkpatrick and the members of the committee for their willingness to learn about the importance of SB64.

      SB64 now moves to the Rules Committee for consideration to be scheduled for a vote before the full Senate Committee. The bill must pass and crossover to the House no later than March 6, 2023.

      Members and supporters of Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights are pictured with Senator Randy Robertson and his wife, Theresa, following the “do pass” vote by the Children and Families Committee.

      Sign up here to stay informed and to get more involved.

      About Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights

      The Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights is a coalition of state and national organizations with a singular focus: restoring the unrestricted right of all Georgia adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates (OBC) upon request.

        Show Your Support

        Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights on February 16, 2023

        We are overwhelmed by all of the enthusiasm for our adoptee rights bill in Georgia! We are so thankful that people and organizations from the whole adoption constellation have come together to support Senate Bill 64. It is not only adoptees that recognize the need to have these rights restored, but also parents, adoption professionals, physicians, lawyers, legislators, and friends!

        We are expecting SB64 to be considered in committee next week and will update when there is a definite date and time.

        If you have not already, be sure to add your e-mail address to our mailing list. All official action alerts and updates will be shared directly by us on our social media pages and through our e-mail list.

        In the meantime, grab one or both of these graphics to update your profile picture and header to show your support for SB64 and the restoration of rights to adopted people.

        About Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights

        The Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights is a coalition of state and national organizations with a singular focus: restoring the unrestricted right of all Georgia adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates (OBC) upon request.