NEW HAMPSHIRE

UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO OBC​ (Age 18 and older)

 

Who May Access Information
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 170:B-23; 170:B-24
Non-identifying information is available to:
• The adopted person who is age 18 or older
• The birth parents
• The adoptive parents

 

Identifying information is available to:
• The adopted person
• The birth parents
• Blood relatives

 

Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170:B-23

New Hampshire grants adult adoptees who are at least 18 years of age unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates.  Birth parents may file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs.  vitalrecords@sos.nh.gov

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Access to Non-identifying Information
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 170:B-23; 170:B-24
The department or the licensed child-placing agency may share with the adoptive parents all information it has available about the
minor child being placed for adoption. The department or the licensed child-placing agency shall delete any information that would
tend to identify a birth parent.
Requests for non-identifying social or medical information may be made by an adopted person who is age 18 or older, a parent of an
adopted person under the age of 18, or a birth parent.
When any person listed above submits a request for non-identifying social or medical information, the department or agency shall
disclose such information relating to the adopted person, the birth parents, or the blood relatives. The department or the agency
shall delete any information from the health history or background that would tend to be identifying. Court approval is not required
for information disclosed under this paragraph.

 

Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170:B-24
If the parties mutually agree to the release of identifying information, it shall be released as provided in this paragraph. Only the
following people may authorize the disclosure of identifying information about an adopted person, a birth parent, or a blood relative:
• An adopted person who is age 18 or older
• The adoptive parents of an adopted person under age 18
• A birth parent, who can authorize the disclosure of identifying information at the time of surrender or later
Any release may be revoked or amended at any time. The person signing the release or its revocation shall file a copy with the
department or licensed child-placing agency. The department or licensed child-placing agency shall then file a copy of the release
with the court that heard the adoption petition. Court approval is not required for release of identifying information when a release
has been signed, and the person affirms his or her desire to be contacted.
Court approval shall be required if the parties do not agree, if they cannot be contacted, or if the department or agency questions
the safety of releasing information.

Where the Information Can Be Located
New Hampshire Department of State, Division of Vital Records

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FIND YOUR BIRTH PARENTS