New South Wales

Department Responsible

Adoption Information Unit, Department of Community Services

Phone:: 1300 799 023 (local call from within NSW and ACT); 02 9716 3005 (from other states); +61 2 9716 3005 (from overseas)
Email:: adoption.information@facs.nsw.gov.au
Website:: http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/parents_carers_and_families/fostering_...

Open Close Identifying Information

Who is entitled?

The NSW Adoption Act 2000 makes different provisions for the release of information depending on whether the adopted person is under or over 18 and whether an adoption order was made before or after 1 January 2010. For adoptions made before 2010 and where the adopted person is aged 18 years or over, the parent and adopted person may apply for identifying information. Adoptive parents may apply for access to the original birth certificate with the permission of the adopted person (where the adopted person is 18 or over). Relatives or spouses of deceased adopted person(s) or parent(s) can apply to the Director General for the identifying information. Others without other entitlements under the Act can apply to the Director General to make information available to them where it would be reasonable to do so.

What is the process?

Applicants wishing to access identifying information should apply to the Adoption Information Unit for a Supply Authority. The applicant must provide certified identification with their application. The Supply Authority application is a three in one application which contains the following forms: 1) Supply Authority, 2) Social & medical information and 3) Reunion & Information Register. For Adoptions made after 1 January 2010, birth parents and non adopted siblings must apply for a Supply Authority from the Adoption Information Unit if the adopted person is under 18 years of age.

What records or information may be received?

The Supply Authority contains the Memorandum of Adoption Order which has pre and post adoption details of the adopted child. The applicants with the authority can access information from a range of information sources such as Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages, Hospitals and the NSW Supreme Court. The applicants also receive the social and medical information from the Department or Agency who organised the adoption as per their entitlements under The Act.
Open Close Non-identifying Information

Who is entitled?

An adopted person under the age of 18 can access non identifying information with their adoptive parents’ consent. Adoptive parents can also access non identifying information about their adopted child. Parents of the adopted child who is under the age 18 years can also apply for non identifying information. Applicants will receive limited background social and medical information according to their status.

What is the process?

Applicants will need to write to Adoption Information Unit with two forms of certified identification requesting the information.

What records or information may be received?

Limited social and medical information that will not identify the other party
Open Close Mandatory Interviews

There are no mandatory interviews for applicants for adoption information in NSW.
Open Close Contact Vetoes

Where an Adoption Order was made before 26 October 1990, parents and adult adopted persons are able to lodge a Contact Veto. The Veto only prevents the other party making contact, however, the veto does not prevent the release of identifying information. The information that is subject to a Contact Veto will only be released to an applicant if he/she signs a written legal undertaking to not use the information to seek contact. A person who wishes to lodge a Contact Veto must advise in writing in an application form approved by the Director General. The Advance Notice provision allows an adopted person who has reached the age of 17 years and 6 months, a parent or an adoptive parent to lodge a request to be given advance notice before personal information relating to them is given to another eligible person. The release of information is then delayed from 2 to 3 months. A person who wishes to lodge an Advanced Notice must inform the Adoption Information Unit in writing in a form approved by the Director General.
Open Close Reunion and Information Register

Parties to an adoption and other parties can apply to register their name in the Reunion and Information Register. Their registration enables the Adoption Information Unit to identify when a ‘matched’ occurs with another person who has also registered in relation to the same adoption. Once Adoption Information Unit has located a match in the register, the parties may then choose to be put in contact with each other. The registered parties can also leave a message on the Register. A person who wishes to join the Reunion and Information Register must advise in writing in a form approved by the Director General
Open Close Fees

Application fees for both adopted persons and parents are no longer applied as the NSW Government abolished the fees in 2012. For others, they need to pay the appropriate fees which are recorded on the relevant application forms.
• A fee for Supply Authority application is $135.00
• Reunion and Information Register Application fee is $65.00
• Initial inheritance Rights application fee is $50.00
• Concession fee is $35.00

*Concession rate applies for pensioners, veteran affairs, holders of Heath Care Card and former wards of the state.
Open Close Legislation regarding access to records
Adoption Information Act 1990 which is now incorporated into Adoption Act 2000

New South Wales

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Department Responsible

Who is entitled?

What is the process?

What records or information may be received?

Who is entitled?

What is the process?

What records or information may be received?