Hello, fellow researchers, I've recently learned of a bill moving swiftly through the U. S. House of Representatives that would severely restrict our access to birth records, even those kept by counties and states, in the name of "security." We genealogists (and any other citizens) would have access only if we are the "registrant" (it's our own record), or are named in the document. If we don't meet those criteria, we would have to meet "minimum standards for issuance of a birth certificate to specific family members, their authorized representatives, and others who demonstrate that the certificate is needed for the protection of the requestor's personal or property rights." You might be interested in reading the actual language of this bill. It can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov./ Put in the number of the bill (HR10) on the home page, where it says "Bill Number." Once on the page where the bill starts, find the part about birth records using "Find on this page." It is my understanding that David Rencher, Chairman of the Record Access and Preservation Committee, a joint committee of the National Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), has sent a letter to the bill's sponsor, Congressman Dennis Hastert, recommending an amendment to the bill as follows: "However, nothing in this Chapter 2 shall be construed to require a State to change its law with respect to public access to (A) non-certified copies of birth certificates, or to (B) birth certificates or birth records once a period of 100 years has elapsed from the date of creation of the certificate or record." A copy of the entire letter is available on the FGS site at www.fgs.org/rpa/formalactions.htm. Because this bill is moving toward passage so quickly, it is urged that the genealogical community take action immediately and let their representatives know that they are in support of David Rencher's proposed amendment and the FGS position in this important matter. To find your state representative's contact information, go to: www.house.gov/writerep/