New law allows New York adoptees to gain access to their birth certificate

A new state law will help adoptees learn the answers behind questions of their medical history -- something that has been a mystery to them for decades.

News 12 Staff

Jan 17, 2020, 10:56 PM

Updated 1,567 days ago

Share:

A new state law will help adoptees learn the answers behind questions of their medical history -- something that has been a mystery to them for decades.
When Kira Davenport was born on Jan. 20, 1968 at Sloan's Hospital for Women in New York City, her name was actually Rosemarie Wofford. Her named changed to Kira Lynne Pomeroy six months later when she was adopted.
Davenport, a New City resident who is now married with two kids, got in touch with her birth mother several years ago, yet she says she still has many questions left unanswered as to what happened leading up to and after her birth.
She filed an application to get her original birth certificate in hopes of some clarity. It's a step that she and other New Yorkers can now take because of a law that kicked in Wednesday.
Davenport went to the Congers post office Thursday, smiling as she mailed her papers.
"Putting that envelope in at the Congers post office was one of the best feelings I've had in a while," says Davenport.
When Davenport mailed her request, she became on of the first adoptees to act under the legislation. The state says it has thousands of sealed records dating back to the 1930s. More than 3,600 adopted New York residents have already filed for their birth certificates.
"It's not about the birth family, or the birth parent for me. It's more of the point of the principle that I should, just as a New Yorker, have access to something that everyone else has access to," says Davenport.
Her certificates are due to come back in a few months. She can't wait to share them with her family.
"It's something I've never had and it's something that's rightfully mine," says Davenport. "And it kinda just seals the deal that I was born on Jan. 20, 1968."
 


More from News 12
1:44
SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

2:22
Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

2:48
Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

0:22
Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

0:32
Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

0:21
Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

0:33
Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

1:47
Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

0:36
Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

1:44
Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

1:02
Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

0:32
Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

0:30
Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

1:44
Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire