Northern Territory

Department Responsible

Adoptions Unit, Office of Children and Families

PO Box 40596, Casuarina, NT 0811

Phone:: 08 8922 7460
Fax:: 08 8945 4524
Email:: adoptions.ths@nt.gov.au
Website:: http://www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au/Adoption/

Open Close Identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Adopted persons over the age of 16 (with parental consent), adopted persons over the age of 18, parents and adoptive parents (where the adopted person is over the age of 18) may access identifying information about other parties to the adoption. Where the adopted person, parent, or adoptive parent is deceased, their mother, father, sibling or child may apply to access identifying information. These requests are assessed on an individual basis.

What is the process?

Complete a ‘Family Information Service Application’ and provide two forms of certified proof of identification. Information is sourced from archived NT Departmental files, NT Courts and NT Births, Deaths and Marriages. The process can take 2- 3 months

What records or information may be received?

‘Authorisation Form’ which will enable the approved applicant to access Birth, Deaths and Marriages information including original birth certificate and complete death and marriage searches pertaining to their situation. Identifying information may include names at birth and parents' names if recorded. May include address of parents at the time of the adoption. May include names after adoption order was granted.
Open Close Non-identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Parents (where the adopted person is under the age of 18), adoptive parents and anyone with a veto against them preventing access to identifying information may apply for non-identifying information

What is the process?

Complete a ‘Family Information Service Application’ and provide two forms of certified proof of identification. Information is sourced from archived NT Departmental files, NT Courts and NT Births, Deaths and Marriages. The process can take 2- 3 months.

What records or information may be received?

Non Identifying information with regards to the situation that lead to an adoption and may include general information about persons involved.
Open Close Mandatory Interviews

Applicants are required to have mandatory counselling with an approved person prior to information being supplied to them. Where the applicant is in a remote area or overseas, the interview may be conducted by telephone. If the client lives overseas, the Adoptions Unit can ensure that they receive counselling locally if an appropriate agency exists. If the client has applied via an Aboriginal organisation such as Link-Up, counselling may be provided by that organisation.
Open Close Notice of prohibition

If the adoption was finalised prior to 1994, parents and adopted persons may register a notice of prohibition which would prevent the release of identifying information to the other party and prohibit contact. The notice is valid for 3 years and may be reinstated on application for a further 3 years.
Open Close Contact Register

Adopted persons, parents, adoptive parents and relatives of the above people may use the Contact Register to pass a message to other parties to the adoption and to lodge their wishes regarding contact. The register may be used to indicate whether or not the Department has permission to give current contact details to the other party should they request information
Open Close Fees

No fees are applicable
Open Close Legislation regarding access to records
Adoption of Children Act 1994

Northern Territory

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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?