Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, announced today that her bill A.1944/S.3765 has been signed into law by Governor Hochul (Ch. 509 of 2025). The legislation is intended to ensure that individuals who were lawfully adopted by New Yorkers from foreign countries are able to obtain a New York State birth certificate.

Under current law, New York State’s foreign adoption statute authorizes the issuance of birth certificates to “children” adopted from foreign countries by New York State residents, but this language has created significant barriers for foreign-born adoptees who were adopted after the age of 18 or those who were adopted before the age of 18 but whose families failed to obtain a New York State birth certificate before the adoptee became an adult. Because the law specifically refers to an adopted “child,” the Department of Health has refrained from issuing birth certificates to these individuals. In some cases, adoptive parents have simply missed the step of filing for a New York State birth certificate, and it does not become apparent until the adoptee has reached the age of 18 and is no longer able to obtain one. This restriction has left these adults without access to crucial identification documents needed for employment, travel, education, marriage, and other aspects of daily life.

“No one should be denied basic and necessary identification documents simply because their adoption was finalized after they turned eighteen, or because they didn’t get their birth certificate before they turned eighteen,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “It’s likely that families may not even be aware that this legal barrier exists. This new language corrects an unintended consequence in our laws that prevented adoptees that turned eighteen before their adoption was finalized, from accessing their birth certificates.”

This legislation amends New York’s public health law, replacing the word “child” with “person of any age” in the foreign adoption statute to ensure that any person lawfully adopted in New York State may obtain their birth certificate. Accordingly, the change would apply retroactively to include individuals who were adults before the effective date.

“Although the change to the law we’re making seems technical, it’s one that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of foreign-born adoptees in New York by providing them with the documents they need for everything from enrolling in school to starting a family,” said Paulin. “I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law, and for her commitment to supporting adoptive families in New York State.”

Senate Bill Sponsor Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Families are about creating new beginnings, and New York has long been a state of opportunity for foreign adoptees. The beauty of our state is that everyone can become a New Yorker, and I’m proud to have sponsored this bill with Assemblymember Paulin to allow foreign adoptees, regardless of their age, to obtain a New York State birth certificate and the identification documents needed for travel, education, marriage, or other aspects of everyday life. Our bill will close a loophole which precludes foreign adoptees from obtaining a New York birth certificate once they turn 18. You know the saying - if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Supporting this bill to provide adult adoptees with a New York State birth certificate is just a small step we as lawmakers can take to assist in their journey towards creating new families, pursuing new opportunities, and finding a home in New York.”

“We are thrilled that the Legislature and Governor Hochul continue to pass legislation and prioritize policies that protect adoptees,” said Cathy A. Cramer, Chair, Council on Children, New York City Bar. “With the enactment of this law, New York is taking active steps to ensure that all foreign-born adoptees, regardless of age, are entitled to a New York Birth Certificate, which will in turn, offer them more security and protection over the span of their lifetime.”

“Protecting the rights and needs of all persons adopted in New York is a necessity. Foreign born adult adoptees often face issues with personal identity documents, which can cause issues with travel, educational opportunities and accessing essential services. The change this bill makes may seem relatively minor but it will have a huge impact on these adult adoptees,” said Genie Miller Gillespie, Adoption Policy Director, Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Denise Seidelman, Vice President, New York Attorneys for Adoption and Family Formation, said, “In these poignant times it is critical that people be able to provide accurate birth documentation proving their identity. This legislation corrects a problem that has existed for far too long and it will make a huge difference in the lives of those impacted. We particularly want to thank Assembly Member Paulin and Senator Holyman-Sigal for their hard work on this important issue.”

“We're grateful to Assemblymember Amy Paulin for championing the rights of Empire State families who've adopted children from abroad. No one who opens their home to a child in need should face the heartache of seeing his or her child's dreams deferred indefinitely because of an oversight in the law. International adoptees, young or old, should be free to thrive and pursue the milestones that typify the American dream. Otherwise, what's the point? Thank you to the New York State legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul for correcting this administrative oversight and paving the way for adoptees, regardless of their age, to obtain a birth certificate,” said Ryan Hanlon, President and CEO, National Council For Adoption.

This bill was passed in the State Senate by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.