Obtaining A Copy of Your Original (Pre-Adoption) Birth Certificate

Effective July 1, 2025, Senate Bill 100 allows adult adoptees born in Georgia to request an uncertified copy of their original, pre-adoption birth certificate. These copies are for personal history and cannot be used for legal identification.

Content provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

  • Who is entitled to a pre-adoption certificate?

    The adoptee must be 18 years of age or older and born in Georgia.

    If the adoptee is deceased, their parents, siblings, or direct line descendants like children or grandchildren may apply.

    Attorneys or guardians for any of the above are entitled as well.

  • How do I apply for an original (pre-adoption) certificate?

    Applications are only accepted online via our Request Official Vital Event Record (ROVER) service. Select the reason "adoption - copy of pre-adoption birth certificate."

    County registrars cannot process these requests. They do not have access to sealed original records.

  • Can I obtain a copy of my original (pre-adoption) certificate from my local county registrar?

    Local county registrars do not have access to copies of your original birth certificate. Applicants must request their certificate online at www.rover.ga.gov.

  • Are expedited services available for Andee's Law?

    No. Because retrieving sealed records is a complex, manual process, expedited shipping and processing and pen-in-hand signatures are not available. All requests follow the standard eight-to-10-week timeline.

  • Can I obtain a copy of my original (pre-adoption) birth certificate with a Pen-In-Hand signature?

    Pen-in-hand requests are not available for original birth certificate requests. 

    A pen-in-hand certificate is a certified copy of a birth certificate with the original signature of an authorized staff member of the State of Georgia’s Vital Records Office. These are typically required for international travel or to obtain an Apostille (signature of authenticity).

  • What identification is required to obtain my original (pre-adoption) birth certificate?
    • Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year
    • State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
    • State of Georgia Weapons Carry License with photo
    • Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory
    • Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory
    • Unexpired U.S. Passport
    • Unexpired Foreign Passport
    • U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent Identification, Veteran’s Identification
    • Unexpired Consulate Card
    • Unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
    • Current School, University, or College Identification Card (unexpired with ID number and signature)
    • Department of Driver Services (DDS) Identification Card
    • Department of Corrections Identification Card
  • What is the fee for a copy of the original (pre-adoption) birth certificate?

    The fee to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate is $25.

  • What is a Direct Line Descendant?

    A direct line descendant is a person connected to an ancestor through a continuous line of parent-child relationships. This includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

  • As a Direct Line Descendant, how do I obtain a copy of an original (pre-adoption) birth certificate for my parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent?

    Requests for original birth certificates will be accepted via the online vendor ROVER. Please apply online at www.rover.ga.gov.

  • What documentation is needed for descendants of a deceased adoptee?

    You must provide proof of your relationship to the deceased, including:

    • A photocopy of the adoptee's death certificate
    • Your own birth certificate showing you as the child or records showing a direct line of descent
    • Any marriage records or court orders documenting name changes in that line.
  • As a legal representative of either the adoptee or the direct line descendant, what documentation is required to obtain a copy of the original (pre-adoption) birth certificate for an adoptee?

    A valid photo ID is required, along with proof of legal representation.