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SB 381CALIFORNIASession 20252026

High Impact

California SB 381 grants adoptees access to original birth certificates starting July 2028

Original title: Vital records: adoptees' birth certificates.

August 13, 2026

Vital Records Adoption Birth Certificates Privacy State Government Vitalrecords adoptees'birthcertificates

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The Frame

What this does

This bill changes the legal access rights for adopted individuals to their original identity documents while establishing a new mechanism for birth parents to express their contact preferences.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Adoptees

They gain the legal right to request and receive their original birth certificate starting July 1, 2028.

Birth parents

They are provided a contact preference form to indicate their preferences for contact when an original birth certificate is requested.

State Registrar

The agency is required to process requests for original birth certificates and create a new contact preference form system.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

Starting July 1, 2028, adopted persons or their descendants may request and receive a copy of their from the . The bill also requires the State Registrar to create a contact preference form for birth parents and removes existing provisions that allowed adopting parents to omit specific details like birth facility or race from a child's birth certificate.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This bill changes the legal access rights for adopted individuals to their original identity documents while establishing a new mechanism for birth parents to express their contact preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my original birth certificate right now?

No. The provisions of this bill do not take effect until July 1, 2028.

What is the contact preference form?

It is a form the must create by July 1, 2028, that allows birth parents to make elections regarding contact that will be available when an adoptee requests their .

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

State Bill