Christie to sign bill opening adoption records

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to sign a bill that would allow access to birth records for people adopted in the state.

The law would not kick in immediately.

Birth parents of children adopted before Aug. 1, 2015 would have until the end of 2016 to request their names be removed from the birth certificates.

Parents of children adopted after that date will not have the option of redacting their names.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Advocates had been pushing for better access to birth records in the state for 34 years before Christie and lawmakers struck a deal that included some ability for birth parents to maintain their privacy.

The signing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Monday.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal