Obtaining A Copy of Your Original (Pre-Adoption) Birth Certificate

Effective July 1, 2025, Senate Bill 100, also known as “Andee’s Law,” grants individuals who are 18 years of age or older, and born in the State of Georgia, the right to request and obtain an uncertified copy of their original birth certificate. Content provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

  • Who is entitled to obtain a copy of an original birth certificate?
    • An adoptee who is 18 years of age or older who was born in Georgia
    • A parent, sibling, or direct line descendant may receive a copy of the decedent’s original birth certificate
    • A lawful representative of the adopted person
    • A lawful representative of the deceased adopted person’s parent, sibling, or direct line descendant
  • How can I obtain a copy of my original birth certificate?

    Requests for copies of original birth certificates will be accepted via the online vendor ROVER. Please apply online at www.rover.ga.gov.

  • Can I obtain a copy of my original birth certificate from my local county registrar?

    Local county registrars do not have access to copies of your original birth certificate. Applicants must request their certificate online at www.rover.ga.gov.

  • How long will it take to process my request?

    Significant steps have been taken to prepare for the timely issuance of a copy of your original birth certificate. 

    Note: A considerable number of applications are expected in the first few weeks following July 1, 2025, and delays may occur in meeting the high volume of early requests. Preliminary estimates indicate that requests will take approximately 8 to 10 weeks to fulfill.

  • What identification is required to obtain my original birth certificate?
    • Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year
    • State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
    • State of Georgia Weapons Carry License with photo
    • Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory
    • Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory
    • Unexpired U.S. Passport
    • Unexpired Foreign Passport
    • U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent Identification, Veteran’s Identification
    • Unexpired Consulate Card
    • Unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
    • Current School, University, or College Identification Card (unexpired with ID number and signature)
    • Department of Driver Services (DDS) Identification Card
    • Department of Corrections Identification Card
  • What is the fee for a copy of the original birth certificate?

    The fee to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate is $25.

  • What is a Direct Line Descendant?

    A direct line descendant is a person connected to an ancestor through a continuous line of parent-child relationships. This includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

  • As a Direct Line Descendant, how do I obtain a copy of an original (pre-adoption) birth certificate for my parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent?

    Requests for original birth certificates will be accepted via the online vendor ROVER. Please apply online at www.rover.ga.gov.

  • As a Direct Line Descendant, what documentation is required to obtain an original birth certificate for an adoptee?

    If the requestor is not the registrant (i.e., adoptee) and the adoptee is deceased, a parent, sibling, or direct line descendant can request a copy of the adoptee's pre-adoption birth certificate. The requestor must include:

    • Valid photo identification.
    • A photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate.
    • Documentation of direct line descent from the adoptee. Direct line descent is parent to child to grandchild, etc.
    • If the adoptee is your parent, include a photocopy of your birth certificate showing the adoptee as your parent.
    • If the adoptee is a grandparent, great-grandparent, etc., you will need to provide a photocopy of the record(s) showing the line of descent from the adoptee to the applicant (such as birth, death records).
    • If there are any name changes in the line of descent, you will also need to provide photocopies of marriage records, name change orders, or other records to show the direct line.
    • A sibling of the deceased person named on the certificate must provide proof of relationship by submitting a copy of their birth certificate, which lists one of the same parents, along with their valid, government-issued, picture identification that includes a signature.
    • A parent of the deceased person named on the certificate must provide proof of relationship by submitting a copy of the deceased's birth certificate that lists the parent's name, along with their valid, government-issued identification that includes a photograph and a signature.
  • As a legal representative of either the adoptee or the direct line descendant, what documentation is required to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate for an adoptee?

    A valid photo ID is required, along with proof of legal representation.