Victoria

Adopted adults (18+)
Can obtain identifying information including their original birth certificate, court and agency records. You must first attend a mandatory interview; this can be conducted by telephone if the person is interstate or overseas. Fees do apply but can be waived or reduced for hardship.

Step 1: Contact:  Family Information Networks and Discovery (FIND) below.

Birth parents
Cannot obtain identifying information. The department can contact the adopted adult on your behalf. Birth parents can obtain non-identifying information; this is general information about the adoptive family at the time of the adoption. Contact Dept. Human Services below.

Register
Anyone involved in the adoption can register their wishes in relation to providing or receiving information. Contact Family Information Networks and Discovery (FIND), below.

Family Information Networks and Discovery (FIND)

Dept. Human Services,
20/570 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 8608 5700, 1300 769 926 (Local call cost)
Fax: (03) 8608 5760
Email: findduty@dhs.vic.gov.au

Website: http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/find

The Victorian organisation VANISH INC. can help with search and counselling. Contact details are:

VANISH Inc
PO Box 112
Carlton South, Vic 3053
Ph: (03)9328 8611
Fax: (03) 9329 1752
Toll Free: 1300 826 474
Email: info@vanish.org.au
Web: http://www.vanish.org.au

Other Victorian Support Groups:

Our services – We can assist you with information, counselling, search, contact and mediation.
Note: if your child was relinquished in Victoria we cannot obtain indentifying information and thus cannot search or make contact on your behalf.
Click here to contact us or Join Adoption Jigsaw