My brother was born in CA and adopted in CA. He is my 1/2 brother and we share a mother.

He has THREE birth certificates. One under my mom's maiden name, one under my birth father (NOT his) last name as my parents were married prior to his birth. They opted not to raise him (my mother had already set up the adoption prior to meeting my father). He also has a birth certificate under his adoptive parents.

I dont know if he could order his original birth certificates or not. I was very luck to find him at all because there was a 6 month window that LA County put all birth records online. I was able to find the birth certificates that way, although his adoption was sealed! If I recall correctly, he was listed as baby boy on the both my mother and fathers copies, but had his current name under his adopted version.

I believe we should all pass laws in every state that the adoptee should have the RIGHT to see their original birth certificates. They never signed away their rights! Just because the birth parents want to keep their dirty little secrets does not mean that the child should suffer by not ever knowing their family. I am thankful every day that I was able to find my brother - my ONLY brother! I never signed away my rights for my sibling either!