Do Birth Parents Have to Be Named on the Birth Certificate?
As a prospective birth mother, you might be curious about how birth certificates work in adoption.
Do birth parents have to be named on the birth certificate? What about adoptive parents?
The good news is that we’re here to explain all that you need to know about adoption birth certificates.
To get free adoption information now, you can contact us online at any time. But, we have also put together this comprehensive guide about birth certificates in the adoption journey.
If you have found yourself asking, “If you put a baby up for adoption, is your name on the birth certificate or that of the adopting parent,” then this article is just for you.
If Putting a Baby up for Adoption, Do the Birth Parents Have to Put Their Name on the Birth Certificate?
As a prospective birth mother, you could be asking, “If you put a baby up for adoption, is your name on the birth certificate or that of the adopting parent?” Both your name and the adoptive parents’ names will be on the birth certificate. However, this does not mean you will lose all of your privacy, as we’ll explain below.
After you give birth, you will wait 24-72 hours before signing any official adoption paperwork.
Once this waiting period is over, a hospital staff worker will bring you the birth certificate before you sign the paperwork. As you fill this out, here’s what you need to know:
- Your name needs to be on the birth certificate.
- The birth father’s name doesn’t have to be on the birth certificate, but it can be.
- The child’s name doesn’t have to be on the birth certificate, but it can be if that’s what you want.
Remember, you are never alone. Your trusted adoption professional will be there to guide you every step of the way. You are in 100% control of your adoption plan from the beginning to the end.
If You Put a Baby up for Adoption, Is Your Name on the Birth Certificate or That of the Adopting Parent?
When it comes to birth certificates in adoption, both your name and the adoptive parents’ names will be on the birth certificate. Birth parents’ names are on the original birth certificate, but adoptive parents are included on the certificate, too. If you’re confused about how this works, then that is completely normal. We’ll explain below.
Once you sign the adoption paperwork, you will officially become a birth parent. This is when you’ll place the child with the adoptive family. But, the adoption journey isn’t over just yet for the adoptive parents. There remains one more crucial step, which is adoption finalization.
In adoption finalization, the adoptive parents will appear in court, and the judge will issue them a final decree of adoption. Alongside this decree, they will also receive an amended birth certificate. This is the certificate that will include the adoptive parents’ names, and it officially marks them as the responsible caregivers of the child. They may also list a new name for the child if they wish.
You might be asking, “When a mother ‘gives a child up’ for adoption, can she keep the birth certificate?” The original birth certificate will be sealed after this process. But, in some states, the adoptee can request their original birth certificate when they are over 18 years old. Keep in mind, though, that each state law is different.
Can You Put a Baby up for Adoption If the Dad Isn’t on the Birth Certificate?
Yes, you can. The birth father’s name doesn’t have to be on the original birth certificate, but it can be. Be sure to speak with your adoption professional and a reputable adoption attorney about this beforehand. They can help you determine whether you should include the birth father’s name on the certificate or not.
Aside from questions such as, “Can you put a baby up for adoption if the dad isn’t on the birth certificate,” you may have some other concerns, too.
For instance, you may be worried about privacy. Because you are the prospective birth mother, your adoption professional and the hopeful adoptive parents will respect your wishes for the amount of privacy you want. If it gives you any peace of mind, then remember that the amended birth certificate will replace the original birth certificate after adoption finalization.
Because you may be concerned about your privacy, you might be considering the type of adoption that you would like to pursue. For example, you may have heard about something called “open adoption.” Open adoption allows you to stay in touch with both your child and the adoptive family long after placement occurs, and the vast majority of adoptions today are open to some extent.
There are many benefits of open adoption, especially for your child. They will understand their adoption story, and they will grow up knowing who their birth parents are and why they were placed for adoption in the first place. In other words, your child won’t need to request their original birth certificate when they turn 18 to find out who their birth family is. In fact, you can build a lifelong bond with both your child and their adoptive family. You can all stay in touch through:
- In-person visits
- Zoom or Skype chats
- Photographs
- Text messages
- Phone calls
- Handwritten letters
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
So, if you put a baby up for adoption, is your name on the birth certificate or that of the adopting parent? Both parties’ names are on the birth certificate. But, when you choose an open adoption, your child won’t need to look at your name on the original birth certificate to know who you are.
Remember, if you would like to get more adoption information now, you can fill out our online contact form whenever you’re ready. We would be happy to help you out in whatever way that we can.