FAQ

Some of the information is general and will apply to all states, however you may need to contact the relevant state for more specific information. In Western Australian these answers apply to adoptions before 1995, different laws apply to adoptions after 1995.

  1. Who can obtain identifying information?
  2. How do I find my birth mother or father?
  3. How do I find my relinquished son/daughter?
  4. How old do I have to be to search/contact my birthmother/father?
  5. At what age can I search/contact my child?
  6. How can I prevent someone contacting me?
  7. Can I obtain information about a child my mother/father relinquished?
  8. What happens when a party to an adoption is deceased?
  9. How do I adopt a child?
  10. What agencies can help with adoption questions?
  11. I was raised by my mum, how do I find my father?
  12. I was raised by my father, how do I find my mother?
  13. How do I check if I'm adopted?
  14. I've just found out I'm adopted, what can I do?
  15. Should I use a mediator?
  16. I want to contact my birthmother/father/child direct, what do I do?
  17. I am Aboriginal and part of the Stolen Generation, what help is available?
  18. I was a foster child/state ward, what help is available?
  19. I was born as a result of donor insemination or other assisted reproduction, what help is available?
  20. I was brought to Australia as a child migrant ward, what help is available?
  21. What agencies/support groups are there in Australia?
  22. Can you give me the addresses for Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages?
  23. My adoption was in the UK, what can I do?
  24. My adoption was in New Zealand, what can I do?
  25. My adoption was overseas (not UK or NZ), what can I do?
  26. What fees do you charge?
  27. How can I join Adoption Jigsaw?
  28. Can I adopt my stepchild?
  29. Can I adopt a relative living overseas?

FAQ Answers

  1. Who can obtain identifying information?

    In Australia

    Adopted people over the age of 18 can obtain identifying information in all states.
    Birth parents can obtain the adopted child’s adoptive name when the child is over 18 in all states except Victoria.
    Relatives/Siblings contact the relevant state department to find out specific information, click here and follow the links.

  2. How do I find my birth mother or father?

    See How do I begin?

  3. How do I find my relinquished son/daughter?

    See How do I begin?

  4. How old do I have to be to search/contact my birthmother/father?

    In Australia and the UK you must be over 18 years of age.
    In New Zealand you must be 20 years of age.
    For other countries you will have to contact the relevant country. A starting point would be to contact their consul.

  5. At what age can I search/contact my child?

    In all Australian states the child must be over 18 years of age. If the adoption occurred in Victoria you cannot obtain identifying information, however the government can search and contact on your behalf.

    For additional information click here and follow the links.

    For the UK click here, for New Zealand click here. For other countries you will have to contact the relevant country. A starting point would be to contact their consul.

  6. How can I prevent someone contacting me?

    Unless you placed a veto prior to June 2003 you cannot prevent someone from contacting you. Adopted people and birth parents have the same limits and protections as everyone in the community. A person can only apply to restrict contact in violent or other extenuating circumstances.

    If you do not want to be contacted you could write to your state government department and request a letter to that affect be placed on your file. This may not prevent contact but will inform the searching person of your wishes.

    For other states click here, follow the links, contact the relevant government department to obtain additional information.

  7. Can I obtain information about a child my mother/father relinquished?

    WA - You can apply for identifying information with the birth parents consent. If they do not consent you can place your name on both DCP’s contact register and Jigsaw’s contact register . If there is a match the counsellor will contact you and discuss it further.

    If the parent is deceased, you can apply to DCP for identifying information, you will need a copy of the death certificate. Contact DCP direct or click here, fill out your details and we will forward the relevant DCP form to you.

    For other states/countries click here, follow the links and contact the relevant government agency.

  8. What happens when a party to an adoption is deceased?

    Generally close relatives are able to access identifying information and therefore search and make contact. In most states you can also place your name on a contact register. Click here, follow the links and contact the relevant government agency. You will need a copy of the death certificate if applying for information.

    In WA, if Past Adoption Services is informed of the death of a party to an adoption, they will endeavour to inform other parties to the adoption.

  9. How do I adopt a child?

    In WA - all adoptions, including overseas adoptions are arranged by the Department for Child Protection. Contact them and they will invite you to a seminar on adopting a child.

    For other states contact the relevant government agency. Click here for contact details for government departments.

  10. What agencies can help with adoption questions?

    Click here, follow the links for your state, for information on other agencies.

  11. I was raised by my mum, how do I find my father?

    If you have a name and information we may be able to help you. Contact Adoption Jigsaw.

  12. I was raised by my father, how do I find my mother?

    If you have a name and information we may be able to help you. Contact Adoption Jigsaw.

  13. How do I check if I'm adopted?

    If you are over 18 and suspect that you are adopted but are unable to confirm it by asking family members we suggest you contact Adoption Jigsaw or other relevant counsellor to discuss it. If you want to continue you could contact the relevant government department. Or you could apply for a full (not an extract) birth certificate from the relevant Registrar. If you are adopted you will be unable to obtain a full certificate until you have authority from the relevant government adoption agency. However it may be distressing to find out in this manner and we strongly suggest you speak to us or other counsellor first.

  14. I've just found out I'm adopted, what can I do?

    This can be very distressing, many people report feelings of disbelief, anger and sadness. We strongly recommend that you talk to a counsellor at Adoption Jigsaw or other relevant agency. PARC in NSW have produced a booklet on the subject that you may wish to purchase. If you want to find your birth family go to How do I begin?

  15. Should I use a mediator?

    This is an individual decision and there is no 'right' answer. Many people are successful in making direct contact themselves. However our research indicates that most people prefer to be approached by a mediator as it gives them time to consider their response and discuss it with a neutral person. If they do not want contact a mediator is usually in a better position to request some information.

    Adoption Jigsaw's mediator will conduct a lengthy interview with you (in person or by phone) and discuss your wishes in relation to contact and some of the issues that can arise in reunion. We conduct a similar interview with the found person, thus helping them to understand how adoption may have impacted on you.

    For more information, download our brochure Using a Mediator.

  16. I want to contact my birthmother/father/child direct, what do I do?

    If you decide to make contact yourself PLEASE do not show up on their doorstep and think carefully about phone calls, they can be too confronting for all concerned. Be aware that in the past, adoption has often involved secrecy, thus you need to be careful that a letter will respect their privacy should the wrong person read it. Please contact us if you need some assistance on what to write or to discuss any other aspect of the process.

    Be patient, many people who receive letters are overwhelmed and take time to respond. When we write we generally allow 6 weeks before we try again.

    Very occasionally someone has not received the initial letter. You may also want to consider registering a follow up letter.

  17. I am Aboriginal and part of the Stolen Generation, what help is available?

    Aboriginal people still need to obtain their documents from the relevant government department. Specialist assistance is available from:

    Derbarl Yerrigan Stolen Generation 15 Spring park Rd
    MIDLAND WA 6056
    Ph: (08) 9250 5696

    They provide counselling, search and mediation services.

  18. I was a foster child/state ward, what help is available?

    CLAN (Care Leavers Australia Network) is a support group for people who were state wards, foster children or raised in an orphanage, institution or children’s home. Contact details are:

    CLAN PO Box 164
    Georges Hall
    NSW 2198
    Ph: 0425 204 747
    Email: careleavers@hotmail.com Website: www.clan.org.au

  19. I was born as a result of donor insemination or other assisted reproduction, what help is available?

    Children born as a result of reproductive technologies may have similar feelings to adoptees including feelings of loss, powerlessness and anger. We can provide counselling and support. We can also assist parents with information on how best to tell children of their origins.

    Information and support is also available from these specialist agencies/groups:

    Reproductive Technology Council
    189 Royal St
    East Perth WA 6004
    Ph: (08) 9222 4260
    Fax: (08) 9222 4236
    Email: sandy.webb@health.wa.gov.au
    Website: numbat.murdoch.edu.au/RTC/rtchome.html Genesis IVF Support Group
    Website: www.genesiswa.org.au
    Email: info@genesiswa.org.au

    ACCESS (Aust.National Infertility Network)
    PO Box 959
    Parramatta NSW 2124
    Ph: (02) 9670 2380
    Fax: (02) 9670 2608
    Email: info@access.org.au
    Website: www.access.org.au

    Donor Conception Support Group (DCSG) PO Box 53
    Georges Hall NSW 2198
    Email: dcsg@optusnet.com.au
    Website: www.dcsg.org.au

  20. I was brought to Australia as a child migrant ward, what help is available?

    C-BERS Services is a specialised agency providing assistance and support to anyone who is an ex-resident of Christian Brothers Homes and Schools. Contact them at:

    CBERS Consultancy
    Edmund Rice Institute for Social Justice
    24 High Street
    Fremantle WA 6160
    Freecall number: 1800 621 805
    Phone number: (08) 9433-3644
    Facsimile: (08) 9382-4114
    Email: welcome@cbers.org
    Website: www.cbers.org

  21. What agencies/support groups are there in Australia?

    Click here for the relevant state and follow the links.

  22. Can you give me the addresses for Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages?

    Click here (Registrar Generals dept in Aust)

  23. My adoption was in the UK, what can I do?

    Click here

  24. My adoption was in New Zealand, what can I do?

    Click here

  25. My adoption was overseas (not UK or NZ), what can I do?

    Click here

  26. What fees do you charge?

    Click here. (go to page 1 of Adoptee's membership form. See Join Jigsaw for other memberships.)

  27. How can I join Adoption Jigsaw?

    Click here

  28. Can I adopt my stepchild?

    Click here for the relevant state and follow the links.

  29. Can I adopt a relative living overseas?

    Click here for the relevant state and follow the links.