Western Australia

Adopted adults (18+) and Birth parents:

Can obtain identifying information (unless a veto preventing access has been placed- see below) and non-identifying information. All WA adoptions, including those arranged privately, had to go through the Department for Child Protection (has had various names). There is no charge for this information. New legislation was proclaimed on 1 June 03 preventing new vetos being placed.

Step 1:

Apply for information from the government department. You can contact them yourself for the appropriate form or click below, fill out your details and we will send you the relevant form. You can contact DCP at:

Department for Child Protection
Past Adoption Services
PO Box 641
Belmont WA 6984
Ph: (08) 9222 2555
Fax: (08) 9259 3438
FreeCall: 1800 622 258
Email: adoptions@dcp.wa.gov.au
Website: www.childprotection.wa.gov.au

WA has a veto system

Prior to 2003 there has been both contact and information vetos. A contact veto means you can obtain identifying information but you must sign a statutory declaration that you will not contact the person concerned. Contact vetos placed prior to 1/6/03 are still valid, no further vetos have been accepted from this date.

All information vetos were removed on 1/6/05. This means every adopted person can obtain her/his original birth certificate and birth mothers can obtain their child’s adoptive details.

Note: new recommendations in regard to vetos are currently being considered.

To be sent a DCP form, click here.

Step 2:

DCP will send you non-identifying information, an authority to access the relevant birth certificate, a copy of the court documents and a book called A Guide to Search, Mediation and Contact in Adoption, this includes an explanation of the search process. If you want us to search for you, you must join Adoption Jigsaw, if you haven’t already done so. If we have a ‘match’ on the contact register we will contact each party and discuss it further.

We will begin the search as soon as all relevant documentation is received. We will arrange an interview with you when we have information about the person being sought.

If you want to do the search, but use our mediator: We will contact you to arrange an interview with our mediator. You still need to join Adoption Jigsaw.

Join Adoption Jigsaw
Click here for brochure – Using A Mediator

Other agencies/ groups in WA

Adoption Research and Counselling Service (ARCS)
38 Queens Cres.
Mt Lawley WA 6050
Ph: (08) 9370 4914
Fax: (08) 9370 4917
Email: arcs@adoption.wa.org.au
Website: http://www.adoptionwa.org.au
Open Tuesday- Friday, 9 – 4.30 (after hours appointments available), provides pre and post adoption services for all parties to adoption.

Association of Relinquishing Mothers (ARMS) – (birth mothers support group)
Phone: (08) 9336 1337

Derbarl Yerrigan Stolen Generation (assists aboriginal people with counselling, search and mediation)
15 Spring park Rd
Midland WA 6056
Ph: (08) 9250 5696

Yorgum Aboriginal Community (assists aboriginal people with counselling, search and mediation)
176 Wittenoom St
East Perth 6004
Ph: (08) 9218 9477

Former Child Migrants Service
At: Catholic Migrant Centre
25 Victoria Square
Perth WA 6000
Ph: (08) 9221 1727
(specialised service for former child migrants, assists with obtaining records, search, mediation, assistance with applications for travel funds and counselling, open Mondays and Thursdays)

C-BERS Services
PO Box 1172
SUBIACO WA 6904
Ph: (08) 9381 5422
(specialised service for ex-residents and former students of Christian Brothers homes and schools.)

Foster children or those raised in institutional care – see CLAN

Families involved in Assisted Reproductive Technology– see ART