Rep Charles Owen, Leesville
Since a new law allowing adopted children access to their original birth certificate went into effect on August 1st, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry has received 640 requests and about 520 have been located. Leesville Representative Charles Owen, who is adopted himself and wrote the law, said the remaining requests are being processed.
“I’m very grateful that the Louisiana Department of Health and Vital Records has been able to basically create a process that they never thought they were going to have to do. It had been law since 1977 that this wasn’t going to happen,” said Owen.
Now children who were adopted in Louisiana, once they reach the age of 24, can request a copy of their original birth certificate.
Owen said several individuals who have since found their parents have reached out to him thanking him for the legislation. He said their stories are inspirational.
“I’ve heard from several dozen myself. There’s a guy in New Orleans who’s actually contacted me, who’s 71 years old, and he found his 102-year-old mother,” said Owen.
Since 1977 original birth certificates and the identity of the adoptee’s birth parents were sealed. Owen said he’s grateful the legislature realized it’s ok to change a law you believe was intended to protect individuals but instead it hurts people.
“I think the law was probably put in place with maybe some good intention, but it wound up hurting a lot of people, over time. And that’s the best part for me is to see government right a wrong,” said Owen.
Owen said it averages 10 to 12 weeks to receive your original birth certificate once the request is received.
To request your original birth certificate click here.
Comments