Search for: within: Child Safety Services Child Safety Practice Manual Department of Communities

Adoption

• About adoption
  • Adopting a child
  • Differences between biological and adoptive parenting
  • Adoption programs
  • Adoptive parent education
• For birth parents
  • Consent to adoption
  • Finalising adoption
  • After your child is adopted
• Adopting a child from Queensland
  • General Children's Adoption Program
  • Frequently asked questions about Queensland adoption
• Adopting a step-child or relative
  • Relative and Step-Parent Adoption Program
  • Issues to consider
  • Alternatives to adoption
  • Consent requirements
  • Leave of the Family Court
• Adopting a child with special needs
  • Special Needs Children's Adoption Program
• Adopting a child born overseas
  • Intercountry Adoption Program
  • Overseas country information
  • Frequently asked questions about overseas adoption
  • Intercountry adoptive parent education
• After adoption
  • Release of information
  • Mailbox Program
• Library
• Contacts
  • Community organisations
  • Other government contacts
  • Raising concerns or complaints

For birth parents

This information is relevant if you are a birth parent considering adoption for your child:

• What happens when I adopt my child?
• What do we do?

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What happens when I adopt my child?

Adoption transfers the legal rights and responsibilities of parenthood from the child's birth parents to their adoptive parents.

Adoption is an option that parents can consider if they need to secure a permanent family to care for their child.

Parents considering options for the future care of their children are encouraged to fully consider all care options available and to discuss these options with members of their family and people in their support network.

Parents considering adoption for their child can receive information and support at any time prior to the birth of the child. However, an adoption consent can be signed only after the child's birth.

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What do we do?

Our department is responsible for administering the Adoption of Children Act 1964 and the Adoption of Children Regulation 1999. Under the provisions of adoption legislation, we are the sole agency with authority to arrange the adoption of children in Queensland.

We are responsible for ensuring that any parent considering adoption fully understands the range of care options available for children, the implications of signing an adoption consent and the effect of an Adoption Order.

Our Adoption Services Queensland Unit can provide information to help parents make an informed decision about whether adoption is the best option for securing future care for their child. There is no assumption that parents who contact our unit for information will proceed with consenting to their child's adoption.

Privately arranged adoptions are unlawful in Queensland and cannot be recognised under adoption legislation in this state.

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Further information

To discuss placing a child for adoption, contact our Adoption Services Queensland Unit. Information and support may also be provided from services in the community or from our child safety service centres.

If you are considering adoption for your child, you should also read:

• Consent to adoption
• Finalising adoption
• After your child is adopted

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Last updated

22 April 2008