The Registry records details of legal adoptions in NSW. Adoptees and their natural parents are now able to obtain information previously kept private. Provisions can also be made to allow people to indicate that they do not wish to be contacted.

As many adoption applications require complex searches and sensitive enquiries, no exact time limit for processing these applications can be given.

For enquiries regarding adoptions contact: Department of Human Services, Community Services (DOCS)

Physical Address

Adoption Information Unit
Department of Human Services, Community Services
4-6 Cavill Avenue
ASHFIELD NSW 2131

Postal Address

Locked Bag 4028
ASHFIELD NSW 2131

Telephone: 1300 799 023
Fax: (02) 9716 3400
Email: adoption.information@community.nsw.gov.au

Supply Authority

• Adoptee - to obtain your original Birth Certificate, apply for a Supply Authority from DOCS.
  
  
• Birth parent - to obtain adoption information of your child, apply for a Supply Authority from DOCS.

After a Supply Authority has been issued to you by DOCS, you may then apply to the Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages for information on the adoption.

Certificate Fees

The fee to obtain the original or amended birth certificate is $48.00* payable to the NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages.

For further searches of birth, death or marriage records, the fee is:

$58.00* - marriage search
$48.00* - death search
$48.00* - extract of a birth parent's birth record (if born in NSW).

*All Certificates are distributed through Registered post and include postage and handling.

Delivery

• Please allow 6 weeks for certificates from Adoption Search applications to be processed and delivered via Registered post.

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