The Washington state Senate has advanced a measure to make it easier for people adopted before 1993 to obtain their birth certificates.

Under the measure passed Monday, everyone adopted in the state could access their birth certificates - and their birth parents' names - once they turn 18, unless the birth parents have filed legal papers requesting the information be withheld.

Under current law, those adopted after 1993 already have this right. But those adopted earlier must be at least 21 or have permission from their adoptive parents before going to court to seek a confidential intermediary to locate the birth parents and ask if they're willing to have their identities revealed.

The measure passed by the Senate by a vote of 42-5 and heads next to the House.