Some Missouri adoptees still not able to receive original birth certificate

Columbia resident Rob Smith found out while in first grade that he was adopted, but he’s still a Smith, through and through.

“Family is one of the most important things,” he said. “No one will ever replace my mom and dad. No one will ever replace my sister.”

But Smith has always been curious about his past and gets closer to answers every day.

“I have a little bit of information that I’ve found that has names on it,” he said.

He’s referring to medical records he received from University Hospital that list him as Robert Benton Garrison, not Smith. While he’s not sure what it means and who’s names they are, he knows getting his original birth certificate could shed some light on his search.

His daughter was the first to tell him about the new law Gov. Jay Nixon signed in 2016 that allows adoptees older than 18 to access their original Missouri birth certificate.

“It was a pretty exciting moment,” he said. “Seeing this original birth certificate, I would like to see if those names are correct, see if the names match.”

Starting Jan. 2, 2018, the certificates were available so Smith said he filled out the paperwork the first week of January. He found a notary, signed a $15 check, and sent the materials on their way. The Department of Health and Human Services promised certificates six weeks from the time it received the paperwork. The department cashed his check on Jan. 8.

It’s now May 11, and Smith hasn’t received his birth certificate — but not for lack of trying.

“I’m pretty pissed off to be honest,” he said. “There’s always an excuse.”

Smith said he’s never talked to the same person twice but has been told his paperwork was lost, so he had to send it again. He was also told the birth certificate was in the mail at one point, but Smith has never received it.

“They give you the runaround,” he said. “They say it’s certified information. They can’t give it to you over the phone.”

But for Smith, giving up wasn’t an option. Not only because he’s so close to answers, but also because he’s not one to give up.

“I’m one of those guys where I will pursue it until I find something,” he said.

Smith said he’s not the only one having issues. He’s part of a Facebook group of adoptees from around the state and many are having the same problem.

“Of the people on there, two people have said, ‘Yes, I have finally received mine,'” Smith said. “There is a list of people that are just like me. They’re waiting for the information.”

For Smith, the state isn’t fulfilling a promise it made to those adopted children looking for answers, and he isn’t sure why. But he’ll keep pursuing his answers.

“If this means that I might have a new branch of family, I at least want to pursue it and see what’s there,” he said.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Department of Health and Senior Services to find out why the birth certificates are taking longer than expected, but is still waiting to hear back.