Original Birth
Certificates for Maine (OBC for ME), is a grassroots group of Maine
adoptees, parents of origin and adoptive parents.
OBC for ME succeeded in its initial mission to pass legislation (LD
1084 /PL 409) granting adult adoptees access to their OBC upon request,
while empowering parents of origin the choice
to indicate whether or not they wish to be contacted. This basic
human/civil right has been restored to all Maine-born adoptees, just as
all non-adopted Maine-born citizens have always had, for the same fee and
without parental permission. Our NEW mission is (1) to help Maine Vital
Records with the implementation process, (2) to invite the public and
private adoption related agencies in Maine to join us in increasing the
number of adoption triad support groups in Maine and (3) to publicize this
historic event around the world via all forms of media, over the 18 months
prior to January 1, 2009, the effective date of PL 409.
OBC SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
OBCforME will be facilitating the
next
meeting on MAY 14 AT 10:00AM at the Community Room
at Norway Savings Bank, Route One, Falmouth,
Maine.Our agenda is open -
we want to see you folks and find out what you've been up to since
January 1, 2009!
It doesn't matter if you have searched, haven't searched; are in reunion
or not; we want to see you again. Let us know how things are going for
you. It would be wonderful to catch up!
To RSVP, or for more information, please
contact me at
tmc3910@yahoo.com or call 671-1375.
IMPORTANT NEW
INFORMATION PLEASE BE PATIENT. THE
STAFF HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED BY THE INTEREST THIS NEW LAW HAS GENERATED.
PLEASE EXPECT 7-14 BUSINESS DAY WAIT TO RECEIVE YOUR OBC. FOR QUESTIONS,
SEARCH OR SUPPORT JOIN OUR YAHOO SUPPORT GROUP.
If you have questions about obtaining your OBC feel free to e-mail Cathy
Robishaw
tmc3910@yahoo.com
Lorraine Wilson
Deputy Registrar
Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics
Division of Public Health Systems
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Maine Department of Health and Human Services 244 Water Street 11 State
House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 287-3181
1-888-664-9491 (toll free)
Lorraine.Wilson@maine.gov
In order to receive a copy
of his/her original birth certificate on January 2, 2009, an adoptee
will still need to download the official state application form
from this website.
The adoptee must also bring (or mail if not coming in-person) the filled
out and notarized form, a certified copy of their current birth
certificate, and a $25 check made out to: Treasurer - State of Maine.
You will find all necessary forms in both MS Word and PDF (Adobe
Reader) near the bottom of the page that the links bring you to.
Parents of origin (also called birth parents) may also NOW submit
information, confidentially, to Lorraine Wilson:
Everyone impacted by this law should read the rules compiled by the
Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics (Maine Center for Disease
Control, DHHS),
downloadable at this website
OBC FOR ME