As I have mentioned before DE is one of the few states that permits an adoptee to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate if their natural parent has not filed a disclosure veto. What this means for the adoptee is that if there is a disclosure veto on file, the adoptee will not be able to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate. The adoptee who is requesting would be notified accordingly.

How the disclosure veto works is when the adoptee files an application for their original birth certificate Vital Statistics sends out a notice to the natural mother to the best address they can find. Vital Statistics checks voter registration and driver’s license records. As you may realize, in most cases, the natural mother has another last name and there is no match so a notice is sent to the last known address in the file. There is no other attempt to locate the natural mother if no disclosure veto is filed within 65 days of application and the original birth certificate is released.

If you were born in DE, and your natural parent hasn’t filed a contact veto, you can obtain a copy of your original birth certificate in one of three ways. 1) Requesting by mail, 2) in person; and, 3) via the internet

A specific form is required if requesting by mail. The form can be obtained on the internet at http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/files/adopted.txt. A PDF file is also accessible at http://www.state.de.us/dhss/dph/ss/files/adopted.pdf

Once you have the form completed with the appropriate information, you must also attach a copy of photo identification and a check or money order in the amount of $10 made payable to the Office of Vital Statistics. The address to send these items to is included on the form.

Requesting your original birth certificate by mail can take up to two months.

To request your original birth certificate in person, the form reference above is required and is available at all three of the state office buildings. The three office buildings are located in Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown. You will not walk out of any of these offices with a copy of your original birth certificate as the waiting period is the same as requesting it through the mail.

To request your original birth certificate via the internet, visit http://www.vitalchek.com/agency_locator.asp, follow the links, and provide the information as completing the information as accurately as possible. The waiting time is also up to two months.

For the state law in DE you can visit the following:
http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title13/c009/sc03/index.htm
http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title16/c031/sc01/index.htm#TopOfPage