Although it is true that all states amend birth certificates and contain some false information, some states do more than change the names of the parents.

This site lists the ways that certain states falsify adoption records. It should be noted that this practice is not common. You might be surprised to find that this list contains seventeen states that change certain items on birth certificates.

According to this list, in Florida they still change the actual place of birth, for instance. The place of birth is sometimes changed to reflect the county where the adopted parents live. Florida is one of the states well known to be extremely difficult for adoption searches. I do know people who have searched in the state who found this to be true.

Although falsifying records goes hand in hand with black market adoptions, it has been well documented that even in legal adoptions there are some mistruths in some records. In addition to being known for falsifying documents, and being a difficult state to search in, Florida is also known for gray and black market adoptions.

If it seems like I am picking on Florida, I just happened to find several mentions applicable to this subject. By clicking on the link above, you will note that several others states are known to falsify records as well.

Hopefully, like many past practices in adoption that are no longer acceptable, falsifying records will eventually be considered unethical and not allowed. However, the evidence points to the fact that some falsification of records still happens.

The logic behind changing dates or other facts is unclear. I suppose in some cases, it may intentionally be done to prevent birth parents from ever finding their relinquished children. However, morally, it seems very questionable to me that we continue to allow the alteration of adoption records.

These alterations are occurring in newborn adoptions. I understand why in some foster care adoptions it might be deemed necessary. If a child is removed from parents who are considered to be a physical threat, altering records might make some sense. However, I can see no justification for altering records in the majority of newborn adoptions.