Birth certificates

§ 16–314. Birth certificates (a) Notice of a final decree of adoption shall be sent to the Board of Commissioners. Unless otherwise requested in the petition by the adopters, the Board shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name and with the names of the adopters and shall then cause to be sealed and filed the original birth certificate with the order of the court. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the court. (b) If the adoption occurred outside the District either before or after August 25, 1937, upon filing with the Board of Commissioners a certified copy of the final decree of adoption, the Board shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name and with the names of the adopters and shall then cause to be sealed and filed the original birth certificate with the certified copy of the final decree of adoption. The sealed package may be opened only by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. (c) If the birth of the adoptee occurred outside the District the clerk of the court shall, upon petition by the adopter, furnish him with a certified copy of the final decree of adoption. 77 Stat. 542 (d) When an adoption in the District occurred prior to August 25, 1937, the court shall, upon presentation of a motion by a party to the proceedings, order the clerk of the court to seal the records in the proceeding. Upon presentation of a certified copy of the order the Board of Commissioners shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name and with the names of the adopters and shall then cause to be sealed and filed the original birth certificate with the order of the court. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the court.