Queensland

Department Responsible

Adoption Services, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Level 1, 111 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Phone:: 07 3224 7415
Fax:: 07 3210 0350
Email:: ads@communities.qld.gov.au
Website:: http://www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/post-adoption-support-services/

Open Close Identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Adopted persons aged over 18 years and parents may be provided with identifying information about other parties to the adoption. Where the adopted person is under the age of 18, both the parent and the adopted person may apply for identifying information, with the consent of the parent (where the adopted person is applying) or the adoptive parent(s) (where the parent is applying). In some circumstances, such as the death or permanent incapacity of the adopted person or parent, their spouse, parent, sibling or child may be provided with identifying information. These requests are assessed on a case by case basis.

What is the process?

A person can apply for identifying information by completing an Application for adoption information form and returning it to Adoption Services.

What records or information may be received?

* Copy of a parent’s consent to the adoption *Copy of a court order dispensing with the need for a parent's consent *Copy of the Adoption Order *An authorisation from Adoption Services enabling the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to provide a copy of an original or amended birth certificate *Names of parents, adopted child and adoptive parents at the time of the adoption *The adopted person's name after the adoption * Information about any adopted siblings *Last known name and address of the other party (if they have agreed in writing) *Any available non-identifying information
Open Close Non-identifying Information

Who is entitled?

Adopted persons (regardless of age), adoptive parents and parents may be provided with non-identifying information about the other party to the adoption. In some circumstances, such as the death or permanent incapacity of the adopted person or parent, their spouse, parent, sibling or child may be granted access to identifying information. These requests are assessed on a case by case basis and are not automatically granted.

What is the process?

A person over the age of 18 can apply for non-identifying information by completing an Application for adoption information form with a letter attached stating that they only want to receive non-identifying information and returning it to Adoption Services. If the adopted child is under the age of 18 a person can apply for non-identifying information by completing the Application for non-identifying adoption information form and returning it to Adoption Services.

What records or information may be received?

General information about the person's appearance, characteristics or social and family background, medical information and the person's given name (unless it is distinctive).
Open Close Mandatory Interviews

If the adoption took place before 1 June 1991, all applicants are required to have a face to face or telephone interview with Adoption Services before receiving the requested information. The purpose of the interview is to receive advice about the person's wish not to be contacted, of the content of a contact statement (where applicable) and penalties that apply if unwanted contact is made.
Open Close Contact Statements

Parents or an adopted person over the age of 17 years and 6 months may register a contact statement, which remains in place until their death unless revoked. The contact statement can specify that the parent or adopted person does wish to have contact with the other party and how this should take place, or specify that they do not want contact with the other party. Where there is a statement for no contact, the party subject to the contact statement must sign a statement acknowledging that it would be an offence to make contact before identifying information is released.
Open Close Mailbox Service

Parties to an adoption, including adult adopted people, may exchange non-identifying information via the mailbox service which is operated by Adoption Services. Parties must complete a Notice of Participation in mailbox form to participate in mailbox. The mailbox service may then be used to exchange non-identifying information. The mailbox service may also be used to exchange identifying information by parties who have received identifying information via the Department but wish to have contact only through Adoption Services. Adult relatives of the natural parent may also take part in the mailbox service, with the parent's consent.
Open Close Fees

There are no fees associated with applying for information or participating in mailbox.
Open Close Legislation regarding access to records
Adoption Act 2009; Adoption Regulation 2009

Queensland

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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?