Happy Day in Massachusets! The Black Hole is Gone!
Today, HB 2284/S1146 the bill that restores the right of all Massachusetts-born adoptees to obtain their Original Birth Certificates without the restriction, goes into effect. Until today Massachusetts adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, were tossed in a black hole by a series of archaic laws that kept their records sealed except by court order. Those born before and after those dates enjoyed full and unrestricted access to them.
No reasonable explanation was ever given for this nonsense outside of some vague alleged “anonymity” promises given to birthmothers covering those dates, that apparently weren’t given to them outside of that timeline. Okey Dokey, Adoptacrats!
For reasons we can only surmise (with good reason to do so,) it has taken years to fix this travesty.
Bastard Nation and other organizations played the long game and fought this battle on Beacon Hill for years. You can read about it on our Massachusetts State page. It’s a lot!
Here is the State of Massachusetts OBC website. It includes information about the law and links to the application form and other documents. Note that payment is by cash or check only. Application can be made in-person ($20.00 at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics office in Dorchester or by mail ($32.00).
New England is now locked down
New Hampshire: January 1, 2005
Massachusetts: November 3, 2022
When you get your OBC we’d be happy to post a picture of you with it and your comments.
New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
