Release of information
Our Adoption Services Queensland Unit can assist persons adopted in Queensland to access information about their adoption. Non-identifying information can be provided, as well as identifying information where an objection to the disclosure is not in place.
- Who can receive identifying information?
- What is identifying information?
- How and when can I apply for identifying information?
- Can anyone else get identifying information?
- Is any other information available?
- Can I get an original birth certificate?
- When is information not able to be disclosed?
- What can I do if I do not want my identifying information disclosed?
- When and how can I lodge an objection?
- What can I do if I do not wish to meet or hear from my birth parent or adopted child?
- Is advice or counselling available?
Who can receive identifying information?
Adopted persons over 18 years of age and birth parents who consented to the adoption of their child, as required under the Adoption of Children Act 1964, can receive identifying information on adoptions made under Queensland law - if the other party has not objected to its disclosure.
Identifying information is only available after the adopted person reaches 18 years of age.
What is identifying information?
Identifying information provided to an adopted person includes the:
- birth parents’ names at the time of the adoption
- date of their parents’ birth
- details of any siblings who were also adopted.
Identifying information provided to birth parents includes the:
- name of their child after adoption
- adoptive parents’ names at the time of adoption.
How and when can I apply for identifying information?
You can apply for identifying information by completing an application form available from our Adoption Services Queensland Unit. Information will be sent to you unless an objection to disclosure of information has been lodged.
Can anyone else get identifying information?
An adopted person’s adoptive parent or adult child may apply for identifying information if the adopted person has died or has a permanent disability which makes them unable to apply for the information themselves.
A birth parent’s adult child, sibling or parent may apply for identifying information if the birth parents have died or have a permanent disability which makes them unable to apply for the information themselves.
Is any other information available?
Non-identifying information is available even if an objection to the release of identifying information has been made.
A request can be made for non-identifying information about birth relatives. This information will be made available if it is contained on file.
You may request that more recent non-identifying information be provided to your birth relatives should the other party enquire.
You may also request in writing to have your current name and address given to any birth relative who obtains identifying information about you.
Can I get an original birth certificate?
Persons who receive identifying information will be sent an authorisation to allow the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Brisbane to provide certified copies of the:
- adopted person’s original birth certificate to an adopted person, birth parent, adoptive parent or relative
- amended birth entry of the adopted person to a birth parent or relative.
Copies of original birth certificates will be marked: ‘not to be used for official purposes’.
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages charge a fee for providing these documents.
When is information not able to be disclosed?
If an adult adopted person or a birth parent has objected to contact and the disclosure of identifying information, no information will be disclosed. If an objection to contact has been registered but not an objection to disclosure of information, identifying information can be disclosed but contact is prohibited by law.
What can I do if I do not want my identifying information disclosed?
If you are a birth parent or adult whose adoption was finalised prior to June 1991 you may object to contact and disclosure of identifying information by completing and returning the required form to our Adoption Services Queensland Unit. This means that no other party will receive your identifying information.
Your objection to contact and disclosure of identifying information stays in force until it is revoked by you. You can revoke your objection at any time by notifying our department on the required form.
Unless your objection is revoked, it will always remain in force, even after death.
When and how can I lodge an objection?
Birth parents and adults whose adoption was finalised prior to June 1991 have the right to object to:
- contact and the disclosure of identifying information
- contact only, which allows the disclosure of identifying information if requested.
Objections may be lodged with our department. Forms are available by contacting our Adoption Services Queensland Unit. There is no fee for lodging an objection.
It is not possible for adopted persons or birth parents whose adoption was finalised after 1 June 1991 to lodge an objection to contact or to the disclosure of identifying information.
What can I do if I do not wish to meet or hear from my birth parent or adopted child?
If you are an adult adopted person or a birth parent, you can object to contact by completing and returning the required form to our Adoption Services Queensland Unit.
Once your objection is lodged, the other party will still receive identifying information. However, they will be advised that you have objected to contact. If a person contacts you, knowing that you have objected to contact, they have breached the law. The matter can be referred to the police and prosecuted through the legal system.
Your objection to contact will stay in force unless it is revoked by you. Your objection can be revoked at any time by notifying our department on the required form.
Is advice or counselling available?
Our department has trained staff available to offer advice and support. Trained adoption counsellors are also available in Queensland. Private counsellors may charge fees.
Further information
For information about the release of adoption information, contact our Adoption Services Queensland Unit.
- Last updated
- 23 April 2008