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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-05-08

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill changes how adopted persons can obtain copies of their birth certificates in North Carolina. Currently, only the State Registrar issues these certificates, but the bill allows county registers of deeds to also issue them. The bill requires these staff to complete training on privacy and proper procedures before issuing adoptee birth certificates.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill improves access and convenience for adopted persons by allowing them to obtain birth certificates from their local county register of deeds instead of only through the State Registrar.
• •This decentralizes the process, reduces wait times, and makes the system more similar to how non-adopted persons obtain birth certificates.
• •Proponents also note the bill includes safeguards through required privacy training for staff handling sensitive adoption records.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may worry that distributing access to adoption records across multiple county offices increases the risk of privacy breaches or mishandling of sensitive information about adoptions.
• •Some may also be concerned about the burden and cost to counties to implement training programs and maintain proper procedures, or question whether decentralization could lead to inconsistent handling of these confidential records across different counties.