Adopted people have two birth certificates.
Queensland Law
Each State in Australia has its own laws regarding release of information to people affected by adoption but basically the first step to the process of search is a legal one. That’s the known quality of search, a bit like joining the dots … dot to dot. Yet of course there can be no guarantee or set in concrete path to follow to ensure your success and unfortunately there are no magic wands available for purchase either. Patience and determination are the elements that will best support you to find what is important to you … along with the support and help from family, friends and at least one good post-adoption organisation.
Up to 1991 it was not possible to gain access to any information at all, but since then adopted persons over the age of 18 and birth parents who signed the Adoption Consent form have been able to apply for copies of birth certificates, identifying information and non-identifying information. Basically, all the information and paperwork that you are currently entitled to receive – provided there is not an objection to information or contact (veto) in place.
The Department of Child Safety, Local & Post Adoption ServicesUnit (www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/families/adoption) are very helpful and considerate. Your information will be sent to you by mail. We are here to offer you support while you wait for it to arrive.
This authorisation comes as part of your application to the Department of Child Safety. It is totally necessary for any person affected by adoption in Queensland who intends to apply to the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages for information about themselves, as well as any other biological relative search.
For copies of certificates it is necessary for you to apply to and pay the appropriate fees upfront to the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
Voting age was 21 years and 3 months until 1973 when it was lowered to 18 years.
While it is not uncommon to have difficulties locating the current address information of the person you seek, it’s also highly likely that you will no sooner have your identifying information in your hand before you find that person listed in the phone book. We can help with tips on what to do next, how to double-check your information and how to prepare yourself emotionally for contact with your birth relative.
Jigsaw’s experience leads us to empower people to do their own searching; however, we can provide practical information and emotional support to help you through the search and reunion process … and beyond
When you are the searcher, it’s hard enough to keep track of where you’re heading and what your doing … and how about those jumping emotions that seem to arrive without invitation, often at the most inappropriate times. Yet, if you contact Jigsaw Qld or any other post-adoption organisation they can help keep you focused on the many different aspects of your search journey.
You may think you just need to have one question answered and then hang up, but if you have the prospect of reunions on your mind and ideas of building longer term relations with your birth relations, you might value some help in broadening your perspective.
Who are my birth parents?
Will I look like them?
Where were my grandparents born?
Was everyone healthy?
Is my child alive and well?
What kind of life do they have?Will we look alike?
Will she be angry and hate me?
Will I lose my child to her birth family?
Aren’t we the only parents he knows?
Will she look like them?
Why did they really give her away?
Asking yourself questions as you do your best to look at adoption from as many different perspectives as possible generally leads you to be more prepared for the challenge of entering uncharted waters … or your own personal rollercoaster ride as it is often referred to. Some possible answers may arrive quickly, yet it is wise to seek the viewpoint of others as part of your preparation.
Visit Frequently Asked Questions to learn more
It’s not that reading makes you an instant expert in the field of adoption but it’s a great place to start to get know what just might trigger a reaction from you. For so long the only adoption story that was told was that of the “dominant story’ – where adoptees should be grateful to their adoptive parents; birth mothers just needed to get on with their lives; and adoptive parents were promised their sons and daughters would never want to or need to know their birth origins.
The ‘untold story’ is the one that’s readily available in many forms these days … straight from the horses mouth so to speak. More and more people are telling their stories for the benefit of others, and themselves.
Remember we are all responsible for our own recovery, regardless of whether or not a reunion takes place or whether or not it meets our expectations.
- Evelyn Burns Robinson
Adoption and Recovery
Our Library has books and DVDs available for loan by members.
There have been some excellent articles written in recent times that look from every possible experience. For thirty years Jigsaw Qld has been there for you and in the past decade the monthly Support Group Meetings have proven a great asset to many.
For more information see Support Groups or contact us directly.
To help you with your external journey or paper trail, contact the Department to apply for identifying and non-identifying information and access to ORIGINAL or AMENDED birth certificates contact -
Department of Child Safety
Local & Post Adoption Services
GPO Box 806
BRISBANE Q 4001
Phone: (07) 3224 7415
Toll Free: 1800 647 983
www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/ families/adoptionTo receive a copy of Birth Certificates or to request a change of name by marriage contact:
Registrar General
Births, Deaths & Marriages
110 George Street, Brisbane
PO Box 188
ALBERT STREET, QLD 4002
Phone: 3247 9203
www.justice.qld.gov.au
All statements made within this page with regard to legislation and adoption rights are in regard to Queensland, Australia State Adoption Legislation only
