MO HB1237

Allows adopted persons age 21 or older who are Missouri-born residents to request and receive a certified copy of their original, unaltered birth certificate from the state registrar with identical procedures and fees as non-adopted citizens, stamped "NOT USABLE FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES."

Permits adopted adults to access identifying information about biological parents and adult siblings through court petition, with biological parents having a three-month window to consent to or refuse disclosure of their identifying information.

Clarifies that failure of a biological parent to file an affidavit refusing disclosure within the three-month period results in automatic release of that parent's identifying information to the adopted adult.

Establishes a registry maintained by the children's division allowing biological parents, adult siblings, and adopted adults to voluntarily indicate desire for contact and consent to release of identifying information.

Removes restrictions on court files and records access in adoption proceedings to the extent necessary to provide original birth certificates to adopted adults age 21 or older, while maintaining confidentiality protections for other adoption information.