Waterloo Times

A new law went into effect Jan. 1, declaring every adult adoptee over 18 years of age, or entitled family in case the adult adoptee is deceased, is able to apply for a noncertified copy of the original certificate of adoption.

The new rules are allowed under HF855, which was signed into law May 19, 2021, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The department took to Twitter at the end of December to remind others of the law going into effect.

"All adult adoptees aged 18 or older may request a non-certified copy of their original certificate of birth prior to adoption beginning January 1, 2022," the department said in the tweet.

People will have to file a written application to the state’s registrar on a form, according to the Iowa legislation.

When applying, the requester will need proof of ID and payment of a fee.

If a biological parent's name is on a birth certificate before an adoption took place, the department reported that the Bureau of Health Statistics will accept contact preference and medical history forms "immediately." 

"If the contact preference form and medical history form is submitted to the Bureau of Health Statistics after the release dates noted above, adult adoptees or entitled persons may have requested the original certificate of birth prior to adoption," the department said. "Contact preference forms and medical history forms are provided with the noncertified original certificate of birth once filed."