My mother raised me as a single mother until I was 5, when she got
married to my (adoptive) father, who adopted me when I was
seven-years-old.  I want to know how to get a copy of my original
birth certificate with my biological father's name on it.

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Clarification of Question by quani1-ga on 08 Oct 2005 09:18 PDT

Thank you for your responses.  Both my mother and my father know that
I am looking for my original birth certificate and are supportive of
my reasons.  My biological father's name is on the birth certificate -
my mother had a copy that she cannot locate.  There is no reason to
think that the original has been destroyed but it probably has been
sealed.  So, that is my question - how do I go about getting a copy of
the sealed birth certificate?

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Clarification of Question by quani1-ga on 08 Oct 2005 09:21 PDT

Sorry, I also forgot to clarify the concern raised about my biological
father's not wanting me to find him - I am not trying to learn his
identity - I know his identity and he knows mine - it's not a secret
at all.  I just need the birth certificate.  Thanks again.

Even if you are able to obtain a copy of your original birth
certificate, bear in mind that it may NOT have the name of your
biological father on it. Not all states require(d) that a father's
name be given if the child is born to an unwed mother.

I had to get a copy of my birth certificate one time. I can't remember
if I mailed away to the county, or the hospital, where I was born.

That was back in the pre-internet era, and I'm sure these days its
even easier to find the county/hospital where you have to go to fill
out the form.

While your (apparent) attempt to track down your biological father is
admirable, take into account the thoughts and feelings of your mother
and adoptive father. Think about your biological father, too: maybe he
doesn't want to be found.

byrd-ga
  Obtaining an original birth certificate depends on where you live.
In the US, the procedure generally is to contact the city/town where
you were born. Many of these have websites which will tell you how to
proceed. Bear in mind, however, that in the US post 9/11 these
proceedures may have become more stringent and that the city/town
website may not contain the current procedure. I'd suggest locating
the city/town website, finding the phone number of the relevant
department and calling them to verify the procedure. Also, some places
will accept a personal cheque whereas others require a US money order.
  If you are trying to obtain a relative's birth certificate (e.g.
parent) you will probably have to provide documents which prove your
relationship to the person.
  Good luck!

tempworker-ga & purplecloud-ga,

It is quani1-ga who is looking for the origninal birth certificate,
not I. I commented that even if the birth certificate were located,
the name of the birth father may not be on it. The reason for that is
that when a child is adopted by either one or both parents, a new
birth certificate is issued in the name(s) of the adopted parents. In
this case, the adopted father's name would be on a birth certificate
that was obtained by the normal means you've mentioned, i.e. the birth
certificate that is stored at the state dept. of vital records. What
this person wants to do is find a copy of the *original* i.e.
*pre-adoption" birth certificate, for the purpose of finding out the
biological father's name.

As I said in my previous comments, even if that document were found,
it may not necessarily have the desired information, as not all states
require an unwed mother to provide a name to put in the father's place
on the records. However, it can be very difficult to locate such a
document, as adoption proceedings are, in most cases, sealed.

In the case of a husband adopting his wife's natural child, if the
father's name is known, his rights must be terminated before an
adoption can proceed. This is done by a prior hearing in which a judge
orders the natural father's rights to be terminated for one of several
reasons: he has signed a document giving up his rights; a notice was
published in a newspaper at his last known (or several) location(s)
advising him of the impending adoption, or; the mother provides
satisfactory evidence to a judge of both paternal identity, and of the
father's demise or other reason why his rights should terminated
without his presence, acknowledgment or agreement.

After that is done, then the adoption proceedings can proceed. Once
the adoption is approved and formalized, the original birth
certificate is replaced by a new one, with the adoptive father's name,
and all records, both of original birth, and adoption proceedings
being sealed.

There have been cases where records have been unsealed, such as when
an adoptee has an urgent need for medical information. It is more
difficult in cases of mere curiosity, but not impossible. And I have
heard of cases where original records were not merely sealed, but
destroyed. You may want to contact an attorney about this matter if
you have a specific need to know this information, as you may need to
bring suit in order to gain access to sealed records.

Good luck,
Byrd-ga

I clicked "post" too quickly and left out one bit of information.  

I meant to say also that if the biological father's name or location
is unknown, what is usually done is to publish a notice of the
intended adoption in a newspaper, in one or several locations where
the mother had lived at the time of the birth, for a period of time
specified in the laws of that state, after which if there has been no
response, it is presumed that the father has been notified and has
forfeited his natural parental rights by his failure to make contact.

Also, I think I was a little unclear when I said that the adopted
father's name is put on the birth certificate after the adoption is
finalized, and all other information from the proceedings, including
the name of the biological father, is sealed.

Sorry for any confusion. 

Best wishes,
Byrd-ga

In Penna. the state dept of vital records will mail or fedex you a
raised seal copy for a fee. However, as someone commented previously
this may not get you the name you seek. I am adopted and when I did
this (for other resons) my adoptive parents names were on the birth
certificate.