-- What exactly does your "fake" birth certificate look like? Can you tell it's fake just by looking at it?
Usually, the fake birth certificate looks almost indentical to the real one. A clue to a fake/amended birth certificate might be a long delay between the date of birth and the date the birth certificate was issued or signed. This is because the adoption may take many months to become final, so when the fake/amended birth certifcate is issued a great deal of time has passed since the actual birth.
-- Is there also an adoption ceritifcate, or are they the same thing?
Courts issue an adoption decree when the legal process is final. This is not the same as the birth certificate - it is a legal document issued by a court/judge. This document gives permanent legal custody and parental rights to the adoptive parents.
-- I have heard people say that they can't get their driver's license or passport or marriage license etc b/c they don't have their real birth certificate. Is this true or an exaggeration? If their "fake" birth certificates look real then how would the DMV know?
See above regarding the discrepancy between date of birth and date of issue. The delay in issuance is a tip off that the fake/amended birth certificate is not the original. Yes, there are adoptees who have had problems getting passports and other identification.
-- What specifically do you have to do to get your real birth certificate?
If you are not adopted you simply request one from either the state or local vital records office (depending on which state you live in). Adopted people cannot get their real birth certificate except in a handful of states.
-- When people say "unseal records" does that mean get your real birth certificate?
Yes, that is usually what people are referring to. Some people are also referring to any legal or pesonal files regarding the adoption that are held at the courthouse or by the adoption agency.
-- How long does it take to "unseal records"?
If you live in a state where records are open, you might get the information in several weeks. If you live in a sealed state where records are closed you will have to engage in either a legal or political process to try to challenge and/or change the laws that created the sealed records. This could take many years.
-- How much does it cost / Do you need a lawyer / Can you do it without a lawyer?
See above - depends on the state. Could take thousands of dollars to get your records depending on the state involved. One option is to hire a private investigator who is an expert in tracking down hidden information.
-- Does your *real birth certificate* say your biological mother and father's names? What if she didn't know the father? What if she wanted to be kept secret? Then what would the birth certificate say in those places? Would the spots be blank?
The mother's name will be on the real/original birth certificate. The father's name may or may not be on the document. Many states only allow the father's name to be listed if he shows up at the hospital to sign the birth certificate (in the case of a birth were the parents are not married). If he fails to show up and sign the form then his name will not be on the real birth certificate.
-- Does your *adoption* certificate say your biological mother and father's names? What if she didn't know the father? What if she wanted to be kept secret? Then what would the adoption certificate say in those places? Would the spots be blank?
The adoption certificate might contain the name of the biological mother and father. That is why they are often hidden from adoptees. If the mother did not know who the father was the name might be left blank and listed as "unknown" or some other variation.
-- For adoptions during the 1960's era, is it easier, harder, or the same to get these records?
In most states it ranges from difficult to nearly impossible to get the records regardless of the era. In a few states you may be able to get access to a limited amount of information.
-- Have laws changed in the last 50 years regarding this? If so, how?
A few states have passed laws to allow adoptees to get a copy of their origianl/real birth certifcate upon adulthood (example: Maine, Oregon). Other states have passed laws that allow adoptees to get non-identifying information from the adoption agency.
-- Do you know any websites that would reference this in *simple, non-legal* language? I have looked at some websites and they use a bunch of "legal" language that I don't understand
See these websites for more information and sources:
http://bastards.org/mediaroom/
http://www.campaign4openrecords.org/