The Registry records details of legal adoptions in New South Wales. People who were adopted and their natural parents are now able to obtain information previously kept private. There are provisions to allow people to indicate that they do not wish to be contacted.

Please note that all inquiries regarding adoptions must go to the Department of Community Services. Their details are listed below.

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

If you are an adoptee and you require your original Birth Certificate, you must first apply for a Supply Authority at the Adoption Information Unit, of the Department of Community Services.

If you are a birth parent and you require adoption information of your child, you must first apply for a Supply Authority at the Adoption Information Unit, of the Department of Community Services.

After a Supply Authority has been issued to you by the Department of Community Services, you are able to apply to the Registry for information regarding your adoption.

For enquiries relating to adoptions, please contact the Department of Community Services (DOCS).

Physical Address

Adoption Information Unit
Department of 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: family.information@community.nsw.gov.au

Certificate Fees

The fee to obtain the original or amended birth certificate is $44.00*, payable to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.

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

$56.00* - marriage search
$44.00* - death search
$44.00* - extract of a birth parent's birth record (if born in New South Wales).

*All Certificates are distributed through Registered post (except Family History) and incur a $6.00 (inc. GST) postage and handling fee. Prices listed are inclusive of the postage and handling fee. Registered post does not ensure next day delivery.

Delivery

• Search applications (for birth, death or marriages) are sent by Registered post fifteen (15) working days after they are received and will incur a postage and handling fee of $6.00 (inc. GST).

For further information about obtaining a birth certificate, please email the Registry at:

bdm-adenq@agd.nsw.gov.au