A new bill filed by State Sen. Michael A. Lazzara seeks to standardize birth certificates for adoptees to match those of non-adopted individuals, ensuring privacy and clarity in parental information, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 248 on March 6 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Birth Certificates for Persons Adopted.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that the State Registrar in North Carolina issue new birth certificates for adoptees, which resemble those of non-adopted individuals. These certificates will include the adoptee’s full adoptive name, sex, state, and date of birth, as well as the names of the adoptive parents without reference to the adoption. In stepparent adoptions, both the adoptive and biological parents will be listed unless a request is filed to maintain the original names. The original birth certificates will be sealed and replaced by these new documents, which are only accessible to designated family members. The bill becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025, and applies to all birth certificates of adopted individuals before, on, or after this date.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Todd Johnson proposed the most bills (19) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Lazzara, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Harry Brown.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael A. Lazzara, Todd Johnson, and Warren Daniel | SB 248 | 03/06/2025 | Birth Certificates for Persons Adopted. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Bob Brinson, and Buck Newton | SB 245 | 03/05/2025 | The Rakim Shackleford Embalming Fluid Act. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Lisa S. Barnes, and Todd Johnson | SB 226 | 03/03/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Michael A. Lazzara and Brent Jackson | SB 183 | 02/26/2025 | Funds for VSO in Jones County. |
| Michael A. Lazzara | SB 188 | 02/26/2025 | Financial Support to NC4ME. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Benton G. Sawrey, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 172 | 02/25/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Benton G. Sawrey, and Todd Johnson | SB 128 | 02/21/2025 | Heroes Homestead Act. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Vickie Sawyer, and Warren Daniel | SB 118 | 02/18/2025 | Reduce Veteran CCW Fee/Expand CCW Notice. |
| Michael A. Lazzara | SB 106 | 02/17/2025 | Funds/Onslow Water and Sewer Authority. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael V. Lee | SB 109 | 02/17/2025 | Veterans Appreciation Act. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Eddie D. Settle, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 113 | 02/17/2025 | Removal of Squatters from Private Property. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Eddie D. Settle, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 71 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Michael A. Lazzara | SB 73 | 02/11/2025 | Richlands Occupancy Tax Authorization. |
| Michael A. Lazzara, Bill Rabon, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 63 | 02/06/2025 | Board of Motor Vehicles/Authority Study. |
| Michael A. Lazzara | SB 29 | 01/30/2025 | Onslow – Delegate Rezoning Authority. |
