The push to open birth records in Minnesota goes back decades, and like so many bills last session — like marijuana legalization, or driver’s licenses for undocumented Minnesotans — its ...

Minnesota joins 14 other states in the U.S., including neighboring South Dakota, that allow unrestricted access to original birth records for adopted people 18 or older. Nationwide, these ...

When a new law takes effect next year, the Minnesota Department of Health says more than 85% of the birth records it has on file will be released to those 18 and older who want it.

When the law changes next year, Minnesota will become the 15th state to give unrestricted access to birth records. According to MDH, there's an average of 2,000 adoptions in Minnesota every year.

New Minnesota law lets adopted people have their official birth records 02:22. CHASKA, Minn. — A new state law could give answers to life-long questions for adopted people in Minnesota.

TIM NELSON: He says Minnesota will be the 15th state to open birth records, but not everyone welcomes the change. The push to open birth records in Minnesota goes back decades.

Adoptees, birth parents react to change in Minn. birth records policy Erin and Mike Merrigan, center, were college students at Saint Benedict and Saint John's when Erin got pregnant in 1981.

[MUSIC PLAYING] CATHY WURZER: Today, July the 1st, means a slew of new laws takes effect in Minnesota, including Minnesota adoptees over the age of 18 can now request their original birth record ...

A second birth certificate is issued for any minor adopted in Minnesota. Uneven, evolving laws Since 1917, Minnesota has sealed the original birth certificates of those born and adopted in this state.