Tasmania

Department Responsible

Adoption Information Service, Department of Health and Human Services

PO Box 538, Hobart, TAS, 7001

Phone:: 03 6233 2273
Fax:: 03 6233 1343
Email:: adoption.service@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Website:: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/children/adoption/past_adoption_services

Open Close Identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Adopted persons over the age of 18, parents and birth relatives may receive some identifying information about other parties to the adoption. Adopted persons under the age of 18 may receive identifying information with written agreement from their parent(s) and adoptive parents. Where the birth relative is under the age of 18, the agreement of their parents, the parents of the adopted person and the adoptive parents is required before information can be released.

What is the process?

All applicants must complete an application form and attend a mandatory counselling interview (if resident in Tasmania). During the interview the applicant will receive information from the adoption record and a Section 80 Certificate (proof of meeting requirements and authority to access the pre-adoptive birth certificate).

What records or information may be received?

Information from the record of adoption Access to original or amended birth certificate via the Section 80 Certificate.
Open Close Non-identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Adoptive Parents are entitled to non identifying information from the adoption record of their child. The identity of the birth parent is not disclosed unless the written agreement of the birth parent is provided. Birth relatives are also entitled to non identifying information about the adoptive parents. The identity of the adoptive parent is not disclosed unless the written agreement of the adoptive parent is provided

What is the process?

All applicants must complete an application form and attend a mandatory counselling interview (if resident in Tasmania). During the interview the applicant will receive information from the adoption record.

What records or information may be received?

Non-identifying information can include education, interests/hobbies, profession, physical characteristics and religious, medical and racial background of the other party.
Open Close Mandatory Interviews

All applicants for adoption information must attend a mandatory counselling interview unless they have already exchanged identifying information with the other party or they are not resident in Tasmania. The interview is to discuss future steps, provide a Section 80 Certificate (proof of meeting requirements and authority to access the pre-adoptive birth certificate) and to provide information available from the record of adoption.
Open Close Contact Vetoes

Any party to an adoption may register a contact veto via the Adoption Information Register. Applicants for identifying information who have a contact veto against them must sign a legally binding agreement not to undertake contact before they can receive identifying information. There is no expiry date for the contact veto, but the person who lodged it may remove it at any time via a request in writing.
Open Close Reunion and Information Register

Adoption Information Services maintains a register of names, addresses and wishes regarding contact and the exchange of information. Adoption Information Services may also act as an intermediary to approach the other party. Adoptive parents can register their wishes about the exchange of information, contact with the parent and the adopted person's contact with the parent (where the adopted person is under the age of 18) and may register their wish not to be contacted.
Open Close Fees

All fees for the Adoption Information Service and the Adoption Information Register will be waived for adoptions that occurred prior to 1988 in recognition of forced adoption practices. Fees are payable to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for access to birth certificates.
Open Close Legislation regarding access to records
Adoption Act 1988

Tasmania

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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?