Access to adoption records
You may be able to apply for information about the identity of an adopted person. To do this, you will need to complete an application form with Adoption and Permanent Care Services (or from the interstate or overseas agency where the adoption was processed).
If information is available, Adoption and Permanent Care Services will send you a package of information and documentation. It will include an authorisation allowing you to purchase information from us (the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).
This page explains how to apply for:
It also provides information about the fees for these services and how to contact or submit your application to us.
Getting an adopted person’s certificate
A person may be eligible to apply for information from the adopted child's entry in the register with authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services.
For the birth parent(s) or other eligible person, this will be a post-adoption birth certificate. This certificate can’t be used for identification purposes and will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
An adopted person (or their adoptive parent) who needs their legal identity document can choose to apply for an official birth certificate—this will not be stamped.
Finding pre-adoption information in the birth register
The adopted person, a birth parent or an eligible relative may apply for the pre-adoption information if they have authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services.
The pre-adoption information will come in the form of a certificate that can’t be used for identification purposes. It will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
If the adoption took place outside of Queensland, contact the registering authority interstate or overseas.
How to apply
To apply for eligible certificates:
- Get an authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services (or from the interstate or overseas agency where the adoption was processed).
- Fill in the adoption entry information application form.
- Have your proof of ID documents and the authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Submit your application form, authorisation and proof of ID documents to us by post or in person.
- We will review your application and advise you of the total amount for your order (and how to pay).
Contact us
Located at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm
Public holidays: Closed
By phone
Local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.