This isn’t just paperwork. A new birth certificate shows the legal change in parentage and is often required for things like school enrollment, passports, insurance, and other legal documents.
If the Adoptee Was Born in Utah
If the adoptee was born in Utah, the process is fairly straightforward. Once the court issues the final adoption decree and order, the court clerk must certify a Report of Adoption form and then forward the form to the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Once the Office of Vital Records receives the report, they will send a confirmation by mail or email to the parents. After receiving this notice, you can order the new birth certificate online.
If the Adoptee Was Born Outside Utah
Was the adoptee born in another state? The process starts the same way: the adoption is finalized in a Utah court. Then, your attorney sends the certified decree, order and certified Report of Adoption form to that state’s vital records office.
Each state has its own rules and forms for updating birth certificates after adoption. Some require extra documentation or notarized paperwork. Once the out-of-state vital records office processes the adoption documents, they’ll issue a new birth certificate under their processes. This may take longer than the in-state process.
Conclusion
Updating a birth certificate after adoption involves specific steps, and every case is a little different. Our attorneys know the ins and outs of stepparent, adult, private, and foster care adoptions.