People who were adopted as children now have a chance to unlock a part of their life often hidden from them.

A new law passed by the New York State Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo went into effect on Wednesday, allowing adoptees 18 or older to access their original birth certificate.

"I think it's a long time coming for adoptees," said Zachary Fried, who was adopted when he was just 3 days old in Pennsylvania.

Fried's adopted family moved to Western New York when he was a kid, but he's always known about his history because his family chose an open adoption plan.

"I was able to see birth family members growing up and how meaningful that was to me and knowing where I came from," Fried said.

Where he came from has driven where he's going. Fried is the compliance director at Adoption Star in Getzville. The agency helps other families through the same life-changing process of adoption.

"It was just kind of a no-brainer to me to go for it, because it's just such a passion of mine and one of the best decisions I'll probably ever make," Fried said.

Not everyone has had the same opportunity to learn about that part of their past, until now. Information about birth parents, birthplace, and time of birth was often sealed.

Heather Gardner, 36, of Celeron in Chautauqua County always wanted to know who her biological parents are.

"I remember being 5 or 6 years old and hearing the story and knowing about it. So I've been waiting for 30 years for this," she said. 

At the first opportunity after the law went into effect Wednesday, Gardner ordered her unsealed birth certificate.

"It's all of the emotions. I'm sad. I'm happy. I'm worried. I'm worried they won't even contact me at all. I'm happy that I might have an opportunity to have a second family," Gardner said.

She's also interested in learning more about her family's medical history. Gardner plans to write a letter to her birth mother, and is open to whatever relationship she wants to have, even if it's none at all.

"I do hope that [we have] at least one meeting and if after that it's too hard, I get that. I understand that. But I need to have at least one meeting," Gardner said. 

As an adoption worker, Fried acknowledges the law also bring concerns about privacy of parents who chose not to their identities revealed. 

"I think we need to be very sensitive to birth parents and their desires, reasons behind why they may not have wanted to be found prior to this law," Fried said.

But for those who've had a lifetime of questions, just the chance to search for answers is momentous. 

"I do feel like there's kind of an elephant off my chest," Gardner said. "I know that the day is here. My paperwork is in."

Adoptees and their direct descendants or legal representatives can order the original birth certificate through the New York State Department of Health via mail, phone, or online for $45.00.

As of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, more than 1,700 people had applied for birth certificates in the first 16 hours of the law being in place. 

"I think it's going to open up the floodgates for so much emotion, because we've been seeking for this for so long," Fried said.