Hi, Terry--- it was in 1975 or 1976. For a short period of time, I personally know that Pennsylvania had a more liberalized stance on this issue of limited privacy, as I was one of the beneficiaries. That's why I cautioned you that it may not be the same anymore. The law may now be changed. One had to be over a certain age, 18, or 21, for example, and know all this very private information: name of the hospital, date of birth, and know your birth name, which most adoptees don't yet know-- it was a real Catch-22. Happened that my adoptive father was a retired attorney when I sent for this paperwork. Dad had the file, gave it to me, so that's how I knew as much as I did. I found the document which showed the name change in that file. What I received from Harrisburg was a facsimile of the original, with all the original info-- mother's name, age, address, name of doctor, and time of birth. That's what I meant when I wrote that it was called an original long-form birth cert. Someone took the time to hand-copy all the data into a new form (green, with the seal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania impressed into it.) So do check to make certain if this format is still available. Best, Theadora In a message dated 9/29/2002 2:19:20 PM, TCall2000@aol.com writes: << When did you write? Because if you are adopted (or a parent was adopted, like my dad in 1945), you will not get the original long form certificate with the right info on it. No - what you will get is a doctored certificate. My dad's cert came back with his ADOPTED mother as his mother and HER maiden name. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a representative from Delaware County, Stephen Freind, who was an anti-choice zealot. (That was his entire platform, all he talked about; he didn't even believe in birth control.) He even claimed that rape victims can't get pregnant because fear unleases this anti-spermicide (No, I am NOT kidding - this fanatic believed this. The statement got him defeated when he ran for re-election.) Anyway, this individual believed that if adoptees and other could get information, somehow it would increase the number of abortions...and he helped to tighten the rules on all documents, etc. I tried getting copies of my dad's Philadelphia adoption papers two years ago and was rebuffed. And my dad has been deceased since 1989. So, in Pennsylvania, you CANNOT get a birth certificate with the correct info on it if you are adopted. Just more fairytales and what Big Brother wants you to find out. Terry C NJ >>