Apply for adoption information

People who have been adopted can receive information from their records, including information that may identify their natural parents and other family.

You can receive information from the records of your child’s adoption.

While adult adopted people have had access to identifying information about their parents since 1984, mothers and fathers can also obtain identifying information about their adult adopted children following legislative changes in 2013.

Natural parents can receive identifying information that includes:

• a copy of the adult adopted person’s adoption order, and
• information from the records of adoption.

There are two circumstances in which the child of an adoptee can access information from their parent’s adoption record:

• where this is done with the knowledge of the adopted person
• where the adopted person has died.

This application can only be done through the Adoption Information Service.

A grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt can apply for information that identifies the adopted person if:

• the Adoption Information Service is satisfied that circumstances exist which make it desirable, and
• it meets consent requirements.

If the adopted person is over 18 years, their agreement in writing is required, or evidence that they are deceased.

If the adopted person is under 18 years, consent requirements are:

• consideration of the wishes of the child or evidence of death
• agreement in writing or evidence of death for adoptive mother
• agreement in writing or evidence of death for adoptive father.

If consent requirements cannot be obtained, adoption information can only be provided to a natural relative by the County Court.

If you are not a relative, you cannot apply to the Adoption Information Service for information. You can apply for adoption information to the County Court of Victoria under section 100 of the Adoption Act.