Bill > HB4672

This bill amends West Virginia law to grant adopted adults and their direct lineal descendants access to original birth certificates. Previously, original birth certificates for adopted individuals were sealed and could only be accessed under specific circumstances, such as for vital statistics administration, by court order, or by the signatories of a paternity affidavit. This new legislation, specifically through the addition of section §16-5-18a, allows the State Registrar or other authorized custodians of vital records to issue a certified copy of an original birth certificate upon written request from an adopted person who is 18 years or older, or from a direct descendant of a deceased adopted person, or their legal representatives. The certified copy will be clearly marked as not valid for legal identification, and the same procedures, fees, and waiting periods that apply to non-adopted individuals seeking birth certificates will be enforced.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4672&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill