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Information for birth parents
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Your rights
If you are the birth parent of an adopted child, the Adult Information Act 1985 gives you the right to information about the adoption. The Act recognises that people in the adoption process may feel more complete when they have knowledge of their origins and each other.
The Act also gives you the right to maintain your privacy. You can choose how much information other people will be able to obtain about you.
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Access to the child’s adopted name
If the adopted person is 20 or older, you can ask for information about her or him.
You can write to:
Adoption Services
Child, Youth and Family
Private Bag 6901
Marion Square
Wellington 6141.
You should give:
- your full name at the time the child was born
- the birth date, place and birth names (if any) of the child.
Don’t worry if you do not remember the exact details – write down what you can remember.
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Checking for a veto
Child, Youth and Family will check with the Registrar-General to see if the adopted adult has put a veto on the registration to stop identifying information being given to you.
- If there is a veto, Child, Youth and Family will tell you and check to see if a letter of explanation for the veto has been left for you. A list of counsellors and agencies will be sent as well, as you may wish to discuss your situation with one of them.
- If there is no veto, Child, Youth and Family will tell you. They will then try to find the adopted person to see if they wish their name and address to be given to you.
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If you are the birth father
If you are the birth father, you have the same rights as the birth mother, if you were registered as the child’s father at the time of the child’s birth. If you weren’t, but you now wish to have your name entered on the birth certificate, you should apply to the Registrar-General. If your name is in Child, Youth and Family’s records as the father, you may apply to receive identifying information.
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Placing a veto on the birth registration
If you are a birth parent and you do not wish to have identifying information about yourself released, and if your child was adopted before 1 March 1986, you have the right to ask the Registrar-General not to give out information which would identify you (section 3 of the Act). If your child was adopted after 1 March 1986, you have no right to place a veto.
Write to:
The Registrar-General
PO Box 10 526
Wellington
Include these details:
- Name under which you registered the child.
- Date and place of the child’s birth.
- Full name you used at that time.
The Registrar-General will send you a list of counsellors and agencies. Talking to a counsellor may help. However, you don't need to see a counsellor if you don't want to.
If you decide to put a veto on identifying information about yourself, please consider leaving with Child, Youth and Family some other information or a letter explaining the reasons for your veto. This will make it much easier for the other person to accept and understand the situation.
A veto is in force for 10 years, but you may change your mind and reverse the veto at any time.
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If you live outside New Zealand
If you are a birth parent living outside New Zealand, your rights are the same as those of a birth parent living in New Zealand.
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If you placed a child for adoption in another country
Child, Youth and Family is the New Zealand affiliated bureau of International Social Service. This organisation can help in tracing, contact and mediation across countries. Contact your local Adoption Services office if you would like to find out more about this service. The Adoption links section also contains links to adult adoption information contacts in Great Britain.
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How do I contact Adoption Services for more information?
You can contact an Adoption Services office directly - click here to see a full list of details.
Alternatively, email Adoption Services. Remember to give as much detail as possible in your message, and state your location and contact details so that the appropriate team can help you
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