are you an adoptive parent?
before your child is 18 years
Before your adopted child turns 18 years, as an adoptive parent you are entitled to non-identifying information about your child’s birth family.
Your child can also make enquiries to the Adoption Information Unit (AIU) of DoCS about their origins, but will need your permission to do so.
It is also possible to have contact with your child’s birth family. If the adoption was after February 2003, you may have an adoption plan that details agreed contact arrangements.
If the adoption was prior to this time and your adopted child is under 18 years of age, the AIU can help you communicate with the birth family through letters, photos, gifts or meetings.
The type of contact would be dependent on the birth families wishes as well as your own.
what you can do for your child
Building a relationship with your child’s birth family is a way of acknowledging the genetic and emotional connection your child has with their birth family and a good way of helping your child to develop a positive sense of who they are.
The Adoption Information Unit can support families in building such a relationship. Some families choose to exchange information through letters, gifts and photos, helping each other to have a growing awareness of the changes and important events in their lives.
Many young children enjoy corresponding with their birth family, drawing pictures and sending cards.
As well as exchanging correspondence, some families decide to have contact through meetings and or telephone calls.
Just as in other relationships in our lives, how we stay in touch may change from time to time. AIU is there to provide advice and support.
when your child turns 18
Adoptive parents who have not had birth family contact, may be concerned or fearful at the prospect of this contact when their child turns 18.
They may fear losing the love of their adopted child if a birth relative makes contact. All the evidence is to the contrary. Secure loving relationships in an adoptive family are not adversely affected by birth family contact.
Once your child turns 18 years, you need their written permission to access their identifying information. The birth parents also gain entitlement under the Adoption Act 2000 to obtain details about the child’s adopted identity.
If your adopted child is over 18 years but has not been told of their adoption, there is always a possibility they will learn about it through contact from a birth relative. It is much better for your child if they learn about it from you.
If you need help in how to tell your child about their adoption you can contact the Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) on 02 9365 3444 for assistance or read the attached article “Late Telling”.
Advance Notice
If you wish to have time to prepare yourself or your child for contact, you can request an ‘Advance Notice’. This means that if your child’s birth parents apply for identifying information about your child, you will be given two months notice before the information is released.
For more information about an Advance Notice and how to lodge one, see our fact sheet Advance Notice Register.
contact us
You are welcome to contact the Adoption Information Unit with any questions.
ph: 1300 799 023 (for the cost of a local call)
adoption.information@community.nsw.gov.au
support groups
Adoptive Parents Association of NSW (APA)
P.O. Box 629
Top Ryde 1680
ph: 02 9837 6760
email: apansw@gmail.com
The APA holds yearly meetings and an annual picnic, issues a newsletter and is the umbrella group for a number of adoptive parent playgroups.
See support organisations for international adoptions, or
