NJ begins implementing law giving adoptees access to birth records

New Jersey officials have started implementing a measure that allows access to birth records for people adopted in the state.

The legislation was signed by Gov. Chris Christie last year.

Birth parents of children adopted before last Saturday will now have until the end of next year to request that their names be removed from the birth certificates.

Parents of children adopted after that date will not have the option of redacting their names. But they can say whether and how they prefer their birth children contact them.

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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.

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