Adoption
Australia
Legal adoption commenced at different times in the various States but records generally began around the early 1920s. Access to records also varies from State to State but is usually conditional on neither party to the adoption placing a veto on access. Some States require a Court Order for access to adoption records. For information on access conditions in a particular State contact the relevant State government agency (See the list at the end of this guide), or consult Nick Vine Hall’s Tracing your family history in Australia – a national guide to sources (FAMHIS 929.394 2002)
The State Library of Queensland holds resources helpful in placing and tracing the parties to an adoption including:
- Specialised indexes such as Infant life protection act: Part 4: [Victorian] Adoptions 1901-1913, compiled by Helen D. Harris (MFC 613.0432 2001-) Check the online catalogue for other titles
- birth, death and marriage indexes for all States and Territories
- Commonwealth electoral rolls for all Australian States and Territories from 1903 onwards and some earlier State electoral rolls
- Post office and telephone directories – check the online catalogue for date ranges in the different States.
Researching adoption information
Start by applying to the relevant State government agency for identifying information on the adoption and/or access to records.
- Check electoral rolls to locate the birth parent’s residential address and track him/her through the rolls in subsequent years.
- Check local and interstate BDM registers for:
(a) marriage/s of birth parent/s
(b) birth/s of siblings from marriages of birth parents
(c) death/s of birth parent/s - Apply for copies of the birth parents’ individual marriage and birth certificates
- Re-check electoral rolls
- Check for possible changes of name by deed poll
Further research suggestions may be found in:
Searching in adoption: a guide: a do-it-yourself guide designed to assist people searching for family members from whom they have been separated by adoption (PAM 362.73409945 1990)
Self search - a program for adult adopted persons: the Adoption Information Service Research Project 1990 / <Susan Tabak> (PAM 362.8298 1990)
Indigenous adoption
Contact Indigenous Library Services for assistance
Footprints before me provides information and useful links for Indigenous people researching their family histories.
National Archives of Australia holds extensive records for Indigenous people in Victoria (from 1860) and the Northern Territory (1911-1975). Records for other States may be found in their State government archives. Adoption records are often restricted and special authority for access may be required.
NAA is currently involved in a project named ‘Bringing Them Home’, aimed at creating a name index to Commonwealth records relating to Indigenous children removed from their families for any reason. The index is not available for public searching and all searches are conducted by staff at the NAA. Check the NAA fact sheet no.175 [new window]
State government agencies responsible for adoption
ACT. Adoptions and Permanent care Unit (DHCS) [new window]
NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) [new window]
NT Department of Health and Community Services [new window]
Queensland. Department of Child Safety [new window]
SA Department for Families and Communities [new window]
Tasmania. Department of Justice [new window]
Victoria. Department of Human Services. Children Youth and Families [new window]
W.A. Department for Community Development [new window]
England and Wales
Adoption records prior to 1900 are rarely available. Often children were simply taken in and brought up by members of the extended family or family friends. Where solicitors or charitable institutions were involved in arranging adoptions, records may occasionally be found in county office files or in the records of the charitable institution. However, to locate these records it is necessary first to know the name of the solicitor or institution involved. In many cases the records have not survived.
In January 1927 an Adopted Children’s Register was introduced recording all adoptions after that date. The adoptee was given a copy of his/her certificate of adoption which superseded the original birth certificate and was used for all legal purposes. The birth registration was retained in the Register Office where the birth was originally recorded and the entry was endorsed ‘adopted’.
Indexes to the Adopted Children’s Register are available for consultation at the Family Records Centre, 1 Myddleton Place, London, EC1R IUX and information about applying for copies of adoption certificates may be found online at the General Register Office [new window]
Other useful websites
Adoption Registry Connect [new window] This worldwide registry provides a free searchable database of profiles posted by adoptees and birth parents seeking family reunion.
The Benevolent Society/Post adoption Resource Centre [new window]
Jigsaw Queensland Inc [new window] Jigsaw Queensland provides information and emotional support to those affected by adoption. The site outlines their support services and provides addresses for other national groups.
Inter-Country Adoptee Support Network [new window]
There are Australia-wide links and support groups for those adopted into a country or culture other than their own.
Salvation Army Family Tracing Service [new window]
Since 1885 the Salvation Army has been helping reunite broken families. Their Family Tracing Service also includes post adoptions searches, but only if they occurred in Queensland and New South Wales. A donation is requested.
MacKillop Family Services [new window] Follow the link under 'Our Services' to 'Former residents and their families'. This Victorian based service provides assistance with accessing government records and in reuniting separated families
More information
If you have a family history enquiry, you can contact us in any of the following ways:
Last updated: 18th May 2009
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