For many years, adoptees in New Jersey have been unable to have access to their birth records and to the names of their birth parents. From time to time, efforts have been made on behalf of advocacy groups to change the law in New Jersey to permit access to this information by adoptees. Nonetheless, opposition remained constant—most particularly on the ground that the availability of such information would probably give rise to an increase in the number of abortions and would be inconsistent with the tacit understanding of birth mothers who give up their children for adoption that their identities will remain confidential.
We have long espoused a change in the law to permit adoptees to have access to their birth records. We have urged that all persons have a right to know who their biological parents are, and that in states that allow this information to be disseminated to adoptees, no discernible harm appears to have befallen anyone. Finally, in May 2014, Gov. Chris Christie signed the New Jersey Adoptee’s Birthright Law, effective Jan. 1, 2017. The law did give to birth parents the right to have their names removed from birth certificates if they so requested by Dec. 31, 2016. Apparently a relatively small number of persons did so request, but as of Jan. 1, persons who are adopted will be able to learn the names of their birth parents and their biological heritage. We commend the Legislature and the governor for bringing New Jersey into line with many other states with respect to this subject.
