Damon Mcknight
In Australia, the process of finding adoption records can be complex and varies depending on the state in which the adoption took place. From the 1930s to the 1980s, newborn babies were often removed from their unmarried mothers immediately after birth and placed with married couples, resulting in what were known as closed adoptions, where no record of the birth parents was kept. Today, individuals seeking adoption records in Australia can access support services and follow state-specific processes to request information. These processes typically involve contacting the relevant state or territory's Department of Communities, submitting application forms, and providing proof of identification. Additionally, specialised organisations like Jigsaw and the Benevolent Society offer counselling and support services to those affected by adoption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Adoption records in Australia | Vary depending on the state |
| Forced adoptions | Were often "closed adoptions" with no record of the parents |
| Support services | Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services |
| Birth certificates | Held at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Office in each state |
| Adoption information | Accessible through the Department in the state of adoption |
| Institutions and agencies | Searchable online |
| Support organizations | Include Post Adoption Service Queensland (PASQ), Jigsaw Queensland, Jigsaw Western Australia, ARCS - Adoption Research and Counselling Service, The Benevolent Society Post Adoption Resource Centre, and more |
| Interstate or overseas adoptions | Require authorization from the relevant agency |
| Application forms | Available online and can be submitted by post or in person |
| Required documents | Proof of ID, authorization, and completed application form |
| Fees | May apply for certain records, e.g., $68 for an Integrated Birth Certificate (IBC) |
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What You'll Learn
How to find adoption records in Queensland, Australia
Adoption legislation varies across Australia, so the records you can access and how you can access them depend on the state in which you were adopted. Here is a guide to finding adoption records in Queensland, Australia.
Adoption records in Queensland are held by Adoption Services Queensland, under the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. These records relate to adoptions that took place within the state of Queensland, and access to them is governed by the Adoption Act 2009.
To access adoption records in Queensland, you must first obtain authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services. You can then apply for pre-adoption information, which will come in the form of a certificate stamped "Not to be used for official purposes". If the adoption took place outside of Queensland, you must contact the registering authority interstate or overseas.
You may also be eligible to apply for information about the identity of the birth parent(s) or an adopted person. To do this, you will need to complete an application form with Adoption and Permanent Care Services. If the adoption was processed interstate or overseas, you will need to contact the relevant agency. If information is available, Adoption and Permanent Care Services will send you a package of information and documentation.
The total estimated cost of accessing adoption records is calculated when you fill in the application form online. You can pay via EFTPOS, credit card, or cash at the Brisbane registry customer service centre.
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Adoption records in Western Australia
- Address: 5 Newman Court Fremantle WA 6959, Locked Bag 5000 Fremantle WA 6959
- Phone: 1800 182 178 (press 1 for adoptions)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/past-adoption-information-and-services
Adoption Jigsaw, a Western Australian service, has conducted over 4,500 reconnections. They can provide a mediator to help with the search and will begin the process as soon as all relevant documentation is received. They will also arrange an interview when they have information about the person being sought.
Adopted.com is another service that offers a country-wide Adoption Reunion Registry for Australia. The website allows adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, birth relatives, and descendants to connect and access adoption information.
It is important to note that adoption legislation in Australia is state-based, so the records and methods of access differ between states. Additionally, prior to 2005, there were both contact and information vetos in place, which restricted access to records. Now, all adopted individuals can obtain their original birth certificates, and birth mothers can access their children's adoptive details.
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Adoption records in New South Wales
In New South Wales, the NSW Post Adoption Information Unit is in charge of administering requests for adoption information. Original birth certificates (including the names of birth parents) are held at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Office. To access your original birth certificate, you will need authorisation from the NSW Post Adoption Information Unit.
The Benevolent Society Post Adoption Resource Centre provides information, counselling, and a range of other services to anyone affected by adoption in NSW and the ACT. The Salvation Army Special Search Service is another service that can help with adoption-related inquiries.
The Adoption Act 2000 (75/2000) was an overhaul of legislation that incorporated changes in social and community attitudes towards marriage and parenthood. It governed both adoptions and adoption information. This legislation remains in force as of 2024.
Before 1923, adoptions in NSW were unofficial and unregulated, and few records survive. Clues about adoption and a child's name changes can be found in sources like records of state wardship, registers of institutions, court records, and Police Gazettes. Some non-government organisations, such as churches and maternity homes, may also hold information.
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Adoption records in Tasmania
Adoption legislation in Australia varies by state, so the records you can access and how you can access them will depend on the state in which you were adopted. In Tasmania, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Office registers and maintains birth, death, marriage, relationship, and change of name records. They also issue certificates and provide information to approved applicants.
To access your birth certificate, you can apply online, in person at Service Tasmania, or by post. You can also apply for information regarding your natural parent or child through Adoption and Permanency Services. They can authorise the Births, Deaths and Marriages Office to issue pre-adoptive birth certificates by providing you with a certificate of interview (section 80 certificate). This certificate proves that you have attended an interview with a counsellor, who has explained your rights and helped you consider some of the matters that may arise as part of the search and reunion process. After receiving a certificate of interview, you can apply for additional records, such as the marriage extract of the birth mother if she did not marry the father named on the birth record. This limited record may help trace a birth mother who has assumed a different name after marriage.
Tasmanian law recognizes that adopted persons have the right to know their origins and identity and provides adult adoptees with access to their original birth records and other adoption-related documents. All Tasmanian residents seeking information must attend an interview with a counsellor before receiving any information. You can also search for adoption records through Adopted.com's Tasmania Adoption Reunion Registry, which facilitates mutual consent meetings between adoptees and their birth families. Additionally, Libraries Tasmania offers resources for individuals seeking information about their childhood, particularly those who grew up in care homes, orphanages, or with foster carers.
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International Social Service Australia
ISS Australia's services include family tracing and reunification, international family mediation, kinship care, and other child welfare matters. They also offer a specialised international parental child abduction service.
If you are seeking support with regards to adoption, there are several organisations that can help. For instance, Jigsaw Queensland and Post Adoption Service Queensland (PASQ) provide support and counselling for those affected by adoption. The Tasmanian Adoption and Information Service and the South Australian Department for Families and Communities also administer requests for information about adoptions.
It is important to note that adoption legislation in Australia is state-based, so the records you can access and how you access them will depend on the state in which you were adopted. Each state has a government department that handles requests for adoption information, and birth certificates are typically held at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Office in each state.
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Frequently asked questions
The process of finding adoption records in Australia depends on the state in which the adoption took place. Birth certificates are held at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Office in each state. To request information, contact the relevant department.
An IBC is an official certified copy of the registration data held by the Registry. It is used to help establish a person's identity. An IBC can be obtained by completing an application form and providing three current identifications.
Post-Adoption Support Services in Australia provide assistance, support, and counselling to those affected by adoption. These services vary across states and include search and reunion assistance, family tracing, and intermediary services.
Forced adoptions often resulted in "closed adoptions," where no record of the parents was kept. The Australian Government funds support services for those impacted by forced adoption practices, including the Forced Adoption Support Service, which can be contacted for assistance.
