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CONTACT PREFERENCE FORMS FOR PARENTS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN BORN IN ALABAMA

BACKGROUND: Alabama law directs the State Registrar 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 and evidence of adoption are placed in a “sealed file” that previously could

only be accessed by obtaining a court order (Section 22-9A-12). In 2000, the Alabama legislature

amended the vital records law to allow a person 19 years of age or older whose original birth certificate

was placed in a “sealed file” to obtain a non-certified copy of that record and any other documents in the

“sealed file.” Therefore, the child will be able to obtain all information on the original birth certificate

including the name(s) of the parent(s) and any legal documents in the vital records file related to the

adoption.

HOW CAN PARENTS STATE THEIR PREFERENCE FOR CONTACT?

The 2000 revision to the vital records law also provides for a birth parent, at his/her request, to place a

parent Contact Preference and Medical History Form in the “sealed file.” This form will allow a birth

parent to state if he/she (1) wishes to be contacted, (2) prefers to be contacted through an

intermediary, or (3) prefers not to be contacted. The parent may also complete medical history

information on the form. The completed form will be placed in an envelope which will be put into the

“sealed file” with the original birth certificate if the parent can provide sufficient information for us to

locate that “sealed file.” The Contact Preference Form is considered a private communication from the

birth parent to the child and no copies of the form will be given to anyone other than the child.

WHAT INFORMATION IS NECESSARY TO LOCATE THE ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

Since the original birth certificate is in a “sealed file,” we have no index references to the names of the

parent(s) on that certificate. We can only locate those files using the date of birth and the place where

the child was born. Therefore, we must have the exact day of birth and the exact city or county

where the child was born for us to try to locate the correct record. If we locate a possible record, we

will use the mother’s name as it appears on the original birth certificate to confirm that we have the

correct record. Thus, we must also have the mother’s name exactly as it appears on the original

birth certificate. Unless these three items are exactly correct, we will not be able to confirm that we

have located the right birth certificate.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE CANNOT BE LOCATED?

If we are unable to locate the original birth certificate, we will return the Contact Preference Form to

the parent with a letter stating we were unable to locate the record.

IS THERE A FEE FOR PROCESSING CONTACT PREFERENCE FORMS?

Yes, there is a non-refundable fee of $25.00 for searching for the original birth certificate and placing

the documents in the “sealed file” if the record is found or reporting the result of the search to the

requesting parent if the original birth certificate cannot be found.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL THE CHILD RECEIVE?

If the child requests a copy of his/her original birth certificate after the Contact Preference Form has

been placed in the “sealed file,” that form will be given to the child along with copies of all other

documents in the file. Generally the “sealed files” contain a copy of the original birth certificate and the

legal documents from the court where the adoption took place. 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.

HOW SHOULD A CONTACT PREFERENCE FORM BE REQUESTED?

Send a letter requesting the form with your mailing address and a telephone number where we can

reach you during the day. Mail the request to:

Vital Records -- Adoptions Section

P.O. Box 5625

Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL 334.206.5426.

CHS IS 7/Rev. 10/2009

Form Adph-Hs-86 - Request To Place A Contact Preference And Medical History Form With The Child'S Original Birth Certificate

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